Anton Kochanov
In our world today there are many types of cultures that people believe and follow. To some they appear ethically “wrong” and to others they are “right.” Cultural relativism was created from the idea that different cultural practices are not wrong, but different and should not be judged. Cultural relativists believe that there is no such thing as in one right society, no moral codes for all cultures, and also that it is not fair for us to judge practices of different culture. Many practices are different compared to our own, but that does not mean that they are wrong, they are just different and should not be judged. Nonetheless, that there are practices being followed that go against ones health, rights or safety. Cultural practices should not be judged without any knowledge of the practice unless it puts a person or group in danger by being physically or mentally abused putting them in permanent disability.
If a cultural practice is not violating an individual’s health in any way then it should not be judged and left alone. Cultural practices can be very harmless and have a purpose to do good for a society. The Ibo tribe has a practice called the “Week of Peace.”
“…our fore fathers ordained that before we plant any crops in the earth we should observe a week in which a man does not say a harsh word to his neighbor”(30).
In this practice the goal is to maintain peace for one week. This proves that it is completely harmless and is very peaceful. In the Ibo tribe being strong and fit gives much respect because strength proves manhood.
“Okwonko was clearly cut out for great things. He was still young but he had won fame as the greatest wrestler in the nine villages”(8).
Obviously strength is a very big thing on this culture. Because of this Okwonko is greatly respected and feared at the same time. This is also a culture that is completely harmless and does nothing wrong to the world.
Cultural practices that can cause harm to one or ones...