Cultural Relativism A Universal Standard Of Morality

Cultural relativism is the view that all beliefs, customs, and ethics of a culture should be understood and tolerated by people of other cultures (Fastiggi, 2013, p.30). The universal standards of morality do not exist between cultures rather it exists within cultures which prevents other cultures form being judged (Rachels, p.2). This means that the rights and wrongs are based upon an individual’s culture so an action considered moral in one society can be immoral in another. Cultural relativism is invalid because it is self-refuting and does not have objective standards. However, cultural relativists argue that a universal standard of moral does not exist because each culture has their own moral codes. Although it is true that each culture has their own moral code, there is also a universal standard of moral that applies to all humans to prevent injustices. Therefore I will argue that cultural relativism is invalid because human beings share a common universal standard of mo rality. Protagoras was the leading philosopher that believed in the ethics of cultural relativism (Wood, 1995, p.1). Protagoras asserts that relativism is true and those that do not agree with relativism believe in something false (Wood, 1995, p.3). By saying this, Protagoras is contradicting relativism because â€Å"relativism denies that anyone can say or believe in something false† (Wood, 1995, p.3). Wood (1995, p.3) attempts to help Protagoras saying that â€Å"relativism is only true for relativists, whileShow MoreRelatedRelativism, Multiculturalism, And Universal Norms866 Words   |  4 Pages#4 Chapter 8: Relativism, Multiculturalism, And Universal Norms: Their Role in Business Ethics The central thesis of Beauchamp’s argument is as follows: I argue that although a relativism of all moral standards is an untenable position, a lower-level relativism of moral judgment and multiculturalism are morally warranted. 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