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Lesson 3

This document discusses cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. It defines cultural relativism as analyzing one's own culture objectively and not judging other cultures based on one's own. The document also defines ethnocentrism as comparing other cultures to one's own and viewing them as inferior. The key points made are that cultural relativism recognizes cultural differences but does not mean all beliefs are true or all actions are moral, and that ethnocentrism can diminish other ways of life and lead to conflicts like wars.

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Cherrielyn Dela Cruz
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50 views

Lesson 3

This document discusses cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. It defines cultural relativism as analyzing one's own culture objectively and not judging other cultures based on one's own. The document also defines ethnocentrism as comparing other cultures to one's own and viewing them as inferior. The key points made are that cultural relativism recognizes cultural differences but does not mean all beliefs are true or all actions are moral, and that ethnocentrism can diminish other ways of life and lead to conflicts like wars.

Uploaded by

Cherrielyn Dela Cruz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IMMACULATE CONCEPTION POLYTECHNIC

Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines Inc.


Marian Road, Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE SOCIETY AND POLITICS


HAND OUTS
Lesson 3
CULTURAL RELATIVISM IN CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING
Context
 Refers to the particular circumstances of a certain culture and is defined by
location, weather, time period, and other factors.
Example: CHINESE COMMUNITIES AND CHINATOWNS - Share their culture to
different countries.
TWO MAJOR VIEWS regard to how culture should be considered:
1. RELATIVISTIC APPROACH - Considers cultures as EQUAL. This view holds that
there are “NO SUPERIOR” and “NO INFERIOR” CULTURES, and each is UNIQUE in
its own way.
2. ETHNOCENTRIC APPROACH - The belief that one’s native culture is superior to
other cultures. Ethnocentric societies tend to have a negative view of other countries
and people.
• ETHNO – comes from the Greeks and it refers to a people, nation, or
cultural grouping.
• CENTRIC – comes from Latin and it refers to the “center”.
Cultural Relativism
Cultural relativism refers to an objective analysis of one’s own culture – seeing and
understanding of one’s beliefs and traditions from his/her own point of view.
It also entails not to judge the practices of others based on your own culture; hence,
respecting it in their own cultural context.
For example, you may find eating insects unacceptable and disgusting practice.
However, in Thailand, as well as parts of Central America like Mexico, it is considered a
delicacy. Instead of being prejudiced, one can pose an interesting question like “Why do
some cultures eat fried insects?”
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION POLYTECHNIC
Sta. Maria, Bulacan, Philippines Inc.
Marian Road, Poblacion, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

1. Recognizes and accepts the cultural differences between societies.


2. It is the opposite of the idea that moral truth is universal and objective, contends
there is no such thing as absolute right and wrong. There is only right and
wrong as specified by the moral code of each society.
The Importance of Cultural Relativism
1. Cultural Relativism does not mean anything a culture or group of people believe
is true.
2. Cultural Relativism does not mean that anything a culture does is good or
moral.
3. Cultural Relativism doesn’t mean that cultures can’t be compared.
Ethnocentrism
It is the practice of comparing other cultural practices with those of one’s own and
automatically finding those other cultural practice to be inferior.
It diminishes or invalidates “other” ways of life and creates a distorted view of one’s
own.
Extreme forms of ethonocentrism have led to wars or colonization.
When do we became ethnocentric?
When tou judge the behavior and beliefs of people who are different from you.
XENOCENTRISM
Societies that have the tendency to consider their culture as inferior to others.
XENOphobia
Fear of what is perceived as foreign or strange. It includes fear of losing identity,
suspicion of the other group to secure a presumed purity.

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