Lecture 2 Flashcards
Universalism and Cultural Relativism
What is cultural relativism?
The principle that a person’s beliefs must be understood in their own social context & culture
What is difference between culture, values and norms
Culture: a set of values, norms and behaviours shared by a social group
Values: ideals that a society holds above all others (honesty, honor)
Norms: basic rules of social conduct
What did Franz Boas say about civilization?
that it is not absolute, but rather it is relative. our ideas and conceptions only go as far as our civilization does
What did Immanuel Kant argue about knowledge?
that humans are incapable of direct, unmediated knowledge of the world, their experience is structured through their perception of time and space
What dangers do universalism and relativism give rise to?
Universalism:
Can be used to rationalize otherwise unjustifiable
interference in other states (i.e., violating their
sovereignty)
Relativism:
Can be used by powerful elites to justify
oppressing their people & to defend their
interests as elites
What word does the UDHR have trouble defining?
Culture
What is colonialism?
forcing your values and beliefs onto another country
