Cultural Relativism

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Cultural Relativists claim that all ideologies and opinions are equally good/bad.

They totally ignore the fact that some ideologies have un-scientific claims which has been not only not proven by science, but directly disproven/debunked by science.

For cultural relativists, Flat Earth Society is equally right in their opinion about the flat earth, as round-earthers.

For cultural relativists, shariah law - the amputation of limbs and stoning to death for atheists is as good as Swedish law of justice.

How can anyone ever take Cultural Relativists seriously?

There is something to be said for being flexible as far as cultural traditions/ethics/characteristics are concerned----a sort of "modified cultural relativism" is what I advocate--but not absolute "cultural relativism."

Absolute "cultural relativism" is absurd, in my view.

There are certain things which are morally repugnant---and should be for all cultures.

There are other things, though, that some cultures might find absurd---but that other cultures might find to be all right. And that "thing" might not be, from an objective standpoint, "morally repugnant."

A slightly different take on the definition...

Cultural relativism is the idea that a person's beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on that person's own culture, rather than be judged against the criteria of another.

This would imply that a culture of genocidal mass-murderers should not be judged by anyone from a different culture, especially the victims' culture. How can a culture that lost 6 million of its citizens to industrialized executions ever hope to be justified in judging their attackers as guilty of any crime?

... but a similar conclusion: Cultural Relativism is stupid.

I talked about a "modified" cultural relativism.

I believe human sacrifice is barbaric----and should not be a part of any world culture.

And I believe the vast majority of cultures feel the same way.

I always like the support.....

I think Kraftie and kdm are about right here, as usual.

No, not all cultures and ideas are equal. Fundamentalist culture, for instance, among Muslims in the Middle East, and among Christians in America are not equal or preferable to their more moderate coreligionists.

People have a right to believe what they wish but their right to do what they wish stops where it harms or impinges on the liberty of others. Also, as far as authority goes, that has to be earned - therefore someone can have the right to believe something but they don't equally have the right to be taken seriously if it's something with no evidence.