ANTH 195 Lecture 5: Tracey-ANTH195-1-24
Document Summary
Cultural relativism: cultural relativism, all forms of relativism do 2 things, deny that any standpoint is uniquely privileged, one thing is relative to a particular framework. Culture: linked to 19th c. ideas, culture and social evolutionism, generally develops/evolves in uniform/progressive manner, can be placed into evolutionary stages, ex: cannibals=primitive. Franz boas: civilization is not something absolute but, relative, and our ideas and conception are only true as only so far as our civilization goes. Cultural relativism: observe, document variations, explanations grounded in context, methodological implications. Interpreting another culture to make sense: do not accept/defend all things people do. Too idealistic: broad support, suspending judgement, walk in their shoes, less support, moral relativism, each persons values are unique, can"t expect change. Ethnocentrism: opinion that ones own way of life is natural or correct and the only way of being fully human, european colonial past, civilizing, female genital mutilation.
