1 cultural relativism. 2outline introduction: cultural differences: the lesson to take the cultural...
TRANSCRIPT
1
Cultural RelativismCultural Relativism
2
OutlineOutline
Introduction: Cultural differences: the lesson to take
The Cultural Difference Argument
Against Cultural Relativism
Lessons and Conclusion
3
OutlineOutline
Introduction: Cultural differences: the lesson to take
Introduction: Cultural differences: the lesson to take
The Cultural Difference Argument
Against Cultural Relativism
Lessons and Conclusion
4
Cultural Differences: The Lesson to takeCultural Differences: The Lesson to takeFrom cultural differences to cultural From cultural differences to cultural
relativism? relativism?
An undeniable fact: Different values in different cultures
Two ways to take this fact into account:
1. Moral Circumspection – healthy especially for Westerners
2. Cultural Relativism – there are no culture-independent moral values
What’s the difference?
What’s the difference?
Cultural Relativism is a view on MoralityCultural Relativism is a view on Morality
5
Cultural Differences: The Lesson to takeCultural Differences: The Lesson to takeSigns that something must be wrongSigns that something must be wrong
1. Comparison with science:
Scientific Circumspection vs Scientific Relativism
2. What if we take Cultural Relativism seriously?
- no way to criticize values from other societies
- no way to criticize values from our own society
- no way to talk about moral progress
Our aim for the class: Find a way to save tolerance without falling into mere
relativism.
Our aim for the class: Find a way to save tolerance without falling into mere
relativism.
6
OutlineOutline
Introduction: Cultural differences: the lesson to take
The Cultural Difference ArgumentThe Cultural Difference Argument
Against Cultural Relativism
Lessons and Conclusion
7
Cultural Relativism: Cultural Relativism: The Cultural Difference ArgumentThe Cultural Difference Argument
The Cultural Difference Argument:
P1. Different Cultures have different sets of moral values
CC. Therefore, there exists no truth about morality
Why is the Cultural Difference Argument not valid?
Whether something is the case or not does not have anything to do with what people
believe about it
Whether something is the case or not does not have anything to do with what people
believe about it
8
Cultural Relativism: Cultural Relativism: The Cultural Difference ArgumentThe Cultural Difference Argument
The Cultural Difference Argument about the Earth:
P1. Different Cultures have different beliefs about whether the Earth is round or flat
CC. Therefore, there exists no truth about whether the Earth is flat or round
9
Cultural Relativism: Cultural Relativism: The Cultural Difference ArgumentThe Cultural Difference Argument
The Cultural Difference Argument about God:
P1. Different Cultures have different beliefs about whether or not there exists a God
CC. Therefore, there exists no truth about whether or not there exists a God
10
Cultural Relativism: Cultural Relativism: The Cultural Difference ArgumentThe Cultural Difference Argument
The Cultural Difference Argument about X:
P1. Different Cultures have different beliefs about whether or not X is the case
CC. Therefore, there exists no truth about whether or not X is the case
The Cultural Difference argument is not valid
The Cultural Difference argument is not valid
11
OutlineOutline
Introduction: Cultural differences: the lesson to take
The Cultural Difference Argument
Against Cultural RelativismAgainst Cultural Relativism
Lessons and Conclusion
12
Against Cultural Relativism: Against Cultural Relativism: Cultural AgreementCultural Agreement
Surface difference between customs, deep agreement concerning values:
Grandma the cow
Dealing with the dead
Much more agreement than one might think Much more agreement than one might think
Cultural Relativism fails to account for such agreement
Cultural Relativism fails to account for such agreement
13
Against Cultural Relativism: Against Cultural Relativism: Cultural AgreementCultural Agreement
A custom is often not a good indicators of deep values:
- The same value can be expressed through different customs
Ex: Grandma the cow again!
- The same custom can be the expression of different values
Ex: various vegetarians
One has to look deeper into cultural differences
One has to look deeper into cultural differences
14
Against Cultural Relativism: Against Cultural Relativism: Cultural AgreementCultural Agreement
Values that are the very conditions of possibility of a viable society:
Truth telling
Prohibition of murder
There are some deep values that must be shared by any society
There are some deep values that must be shared by any society
15
OutlineOutline
Introduction: Cultural differences: the lesson to take
The Cultural Difference Argument
Against Cultural Relativism
Lessons and ConclusionLessons and Conclusion
16
Lessons to Take From Cultural Lessons to Take From Cultural DifferencesDifferences
As a view on Morality, Cultural Relativism fails:
- the argument in its favor is invalid
- there is counter-evidence (cultural agreement)
The fact of Cultural Differences still calls for tolerance
Warning against self-centered dogmatism and prejudices
17
Lessons to Take From Cultural Lessons to Take From Cultural DifferencesDifferences
We CAN claim: - That some values are better than others - That some customs are wrong
We CAN claim: - That some values are better than others - That some customs are wrong
BUT we CANNOT make such a claim JUST BECAUSE such values correspond to the values of our own society
BUT we CANNOT make such a claim JUST BECAUSE such values correspond to the values of our own society
- The “best” values may or may not be the values of our own society
- In which society such or such value is accepted is irrelevant to whether or not we take it as among the “best” values.
- The “best” values may or may not be the values of our own society
- In which society such or such value is accepted is irrelevant to whether or not we take it as among the “best” values.