ANT204H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Moral Relativism, Cultural Relativism, Primatology
Document Summary
The comparative approach helps us understand a cultural group by understanding not only what it is but what it is not. Primatology (sub-field on anthropology) is a perfect example of this. By carefully studying our closest primate ancestors, we can learn what behaviors and biology we share (what is fundamentally "primate") and where those similarities end (what is fundamentally "human"). Ethnocentrism: the way you are is the correct way; everyone else haven"t gotten there yet not educated enough to be as good as you the belief in the inherent superiority of one"s own ethnic group or culture. Cultural relativism: my culture, but it is there yet- looks are specific practices and beliefs of other cultures, and tries to understand it at the frame work of that culture trying to see their system of logic. Cultural relativism is the view that all beliefs, customs, and ethics are relative to the individual within his own social context.
