What is cultural relativism?

Cultural relativism is the understanding of cultures based on their own norms and values, rather than imposing external judgments or standards. This concept promotes the idea that a culture should be evaluated from its own perspective, allowing for a more nuanced and respectful understanding of cultural practices and beliefs.

This approach encourages awareness that behaviors and practices in one culture may not align with those in another, yet each is valid within its own context. By prioritizing this internal perspective, cultural relativism fosters appreciation and tolerance for diversity, and challenges ethnocentric viewpoints that advocate superiority of one culture over another.

In contrast, other perspectives, such as those that consider one culture superior or evaluate practices using one's own standards, fail to acknowledge the intrinsic values and reasoning behind cultural norms. Additionally, while merging different cultures may result in syncretism, it is not synonymous with cultural relativism, which focuses on understanding distinct cultural frameworks rather than blending them.