November 2014 Monthly Blog

NOVEMBER 2014

In “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism”, James Rachels  says that there is no objective “truth” in morality, only opinion. He explains the general rules that all societies will follow in order to be able to function and how society must look at the reasons for its cultural actions, and judge their actions based on the given reasons. I generally agree with Rachels’ arguments and how cultural relativism is not an universal protection from criticism. I believe that we, as a society, must look inward and outward to fix any moral problems seen in society in order to improve. By focusing on reasons rather than judgment, we can create a greater understanding between cultures, promote tolerance, and achieve progress as a nation. Societies, seen in Beowulf for example, are said to have disputes with other societies. One section is in a dispute with the other when Beowulf comes to the Geats, eventually resolving the dispute.

Rachels has written against the views stated in the article, arguing that the main argument for Cultural Relativism fails, and that there are good reasons to think that there exists an objective standard of morality. The Cultural Differences Argument, he claims, isn't valid because it does not follow from the fact that societies disagree on moral issues- that there is no truth in the matter. He then provides three consequences that would follow if Cultural Relativism were true: first, we could not longer judge other societies; second, our society’s standards would be the unquestionably right standard for us; third, moral progress would be impossible. He sees that none of this is possible and argues that this leads us to have grounds for supposing that Cultural Relativism is false. He explains what he thinks is the identity of standards, saying that actions that promote the welfare of human beings are morally good, while actions that hinder the welfare of human beings are immoral. 

I agree with his critiques of Cultural Relativism and his arguments for thinking that an objective standard exists. I can see how there are many cultural differences among our nation and other nations, which, even though we don’t always admit, cause disputes among what culture is considered practicing their own culture better than others.