Relativism: Is it wrong to judge other cultures? | A-Z of ISMs Episode 18 - BBC Ideas

BBC Ideas

6 Jun 201902:58

Summary

TLDRThis video explores the concept of moral relativism, the belief that what is right or wrong depends on cultural context and there is no absolute moral truth. It uses examples like bullfighting in Spain and gladiatorial combat in Ancient Rome to illustrate how moral standards vary across cultures and history. The video also discusses the implications of accepting moral relativism, including controversial scenarios like Nazi Germany. Finally, it addresses the broader idea of truth being relative, highlighting the inherent contradiction in this theory. Subscribe for more thought-provoking content!

Takeaways

🌐 Moral relativism posits that moral judgments are culturally relative and there is no universal standard of right or wrong.
👽 The hypothetical example of a Martian observing Earth illustrates that cultural norms vary widely, leading to different moral codes.
🐃 Bullfighting in Spain is used as an example to show how what is considered acceptable in one culture might be seen as cruel in another.
🏟️ Historical practices like gladiatorial combat and slavery, once accepted in Ancient Rome, are now universally condemned, highlighting the change in moral standards over time.
🌏 Anthropologists often adopt a relativistic approach to understand and appreciate different cultures without imposing their own values.
🤔 Moral relativism can be problematic as it struggles to account for universally repugnant practices, such as those seen in Nazi Germany.
🤷‍♂️ Non-judgmental relativism might seem appealing, but it can lead to uncomfortable conclusions about the acceptability of morally reprehensible actions.
📚 Some philosophers and theorists extend relativism to truth itself, suggesting that what is true can vary by time and place.
🔍 The script challenges the notion of truth relativism by pointing out that the theory of relativism would undermine its own claim to truth if it were absolute.
📖 The transcript encourages critical thinking about moral and truth relativism, urging viewers to consider the implications of such views.
👋 The video ends with a friendly reminder for viewers to subscribe, indicating the content's nature as part of a series or channel.

Q & A

What is moral relativism?
-Moral relativism is the philosophical view that moral judgments are true or false relative to some particular standpoint. It suggests that what is considered right in one culture may be wrong in another, and there is no absolute standard to judge between these differences.
How does the concept of moral relativism relate to cultural norms?
-Moral relativism posits that cultural norms dictate what is considered right or wrong within a society. It implies that moral values are not universal but are instead shaped by the customs and traditions of a particular culture.
What example is given in the script to illustrate moral relativism?
-The script uses the example of bullfighting in Spain, which is seen as a spectacle in some parts of the country, but is considered outrageous cruelty in many other countries, demonstrating how moral judgments can vary significantly across cultures.
How does the script address the historical perspective on moral relativism?
-The script contrasts the moral values of Ancient Rome, where gladiatorial combat and slavery were acceptable, with the moral values of present-day societies where such practices are widely frowned upon, showing how moral standards can change over time.
What role do anthropologists play in the context of moral relativism as described in the script?
-Anthropologists, as mentioned in the script, often adopt a non-judgmental approach to understand other cultures from within. They appreciate the interwoven practices of different societies as responses to their unique circumstances and traditions, recognizing the diversity of moral values across cultures.
What is the ethical dilemma presented by the script regarding moral relativism?
-The script presents a dilemma by asking the viewer to consider the moral relativism stance during Nazi Germany, where actions that are widely considered morally repugnant today were considered 'right' within the context of that society, legally and morally.
Why might the script suggest avoiding moral relativism?
-The script suggests avoiding moral relativism because it can lead to repugnant conclusions, such as accepting the moral standards of Nazi Germany as being 'right' for that society, without any moral superiority or inferiority compared to other moral systems.
What is the broader concept of relativism discussed in the script?
-The script extends the concept of relativism beyond morality to include truth itself, suggesting that what is considered true can vary depending on time and place, and positing that there may be no such thing as objective truth.
How does the script critique the theory of relativism regarding its own truth?
-The script critiques the theory of relativism by pointing out that if everything, including truth, is relative, then the theory of relativism itself must also be relative. This creates a paradox because it implies that the theory cannot be absolutely true.
What is the potential implication of the script's critique of relativism for modern society?
-The script implies that the widespread acceptance of relativism in modern society, particularly in politics, could lead to a lack of objective standards for truth and morality, which may undermine the ability to make universally valid moral judgments.
What is the final call to action for the viewers in the script?
-The script ends with a light-hearted call to action, encouraging viewers not to forget to subscribe, which serves as a reminder of the video's format and the platform it is presented on.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Exploring Moral Relativism

Moral relativism is the belief that what is considered right or wrong varies between cultures and that there is no absolute truth in morality. This perspective accepts that different societies have their own sets of moral rules and social customs, making it impossible to judge one culture's practices as universally correct or incorrect.

👽 A Martian's Perspective on Cultural Norms

A hypothetical Martian visiting Earth would observe the diverse moral behaviors and social customs across different cultures. This variation could lead to the conclusion that there is no single 'right way to live' or universally correct moral action, emphasizing that morality is heavily influenced by cultural norms.

📜 Historical Contexts of Morality

Throughout history, what was considered acceptable in one era or place may be deemed unacceptable in another. Examples include the gladiatorial combats and slavery in Ancient Rome, which were normal then but are condemned in contemporary societies. This historical perspective supports the view that moral standards are not static but change over time.

🧠 Anthropological Views on Relativism

Anthropologists often adopt a form of relativism, seeking to understand cultures from within and appreciating their unique practices. They argue that imposing one's own moral values on another culture is ethnocentric and fails to respect the internal coherence of different cultural practices.

⚖️ The Ethical Dilemma of Relativism

Relativism's non-judgmental stance can lead to problematic conclusions, such as justifying the atrocities of Nazi Germany. A moral relativist might be compelled to accept these actions as 'right' within that cultural context, illustrating the potential dangers of embracing moral relativism without limits.

🌐 Relativism and the Nature of Truth

Some extend relativism to the concept of truth itself, suggesting that what is considered true can vary by time and place, and that objective truth does not exist. However, this notion is self-contradictory because if all truths are relative, the statement that truth is relative cannot be absolutely true.

🔍 The Problem with Truth Relativism

Relativism about truth faces a significant problem: it undermines its own validity. If the claim that 'truth is relative' is itself relative, then it cannot be universally accepted as true, creating a paradox that challenges the coherence of this perspective.

👍 Conclusion and Call to Action

The video concludes by encouraging viewers to think critically about the implications of relativism, both moral and epistemological. It suggests caution in embracing relativism entirely and invites viewers to subscribe for more thought-provoking content.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Relativism

Relativism is the belief that points of view have no absolute truth or validity, having only relative, subjective value according to differences in perception and consideration. The video discusses moral relativism, where what's right in one culture may be wrong in another, highlighting how moral rules and social customs vary across cultures and time periods.

💡Moral Relativism

Moral relativism is the view that moral judgments and rules are not universal but are instead relative to the cultural, social, or personal perspectives. The script uses examples like bullfighting in Spain and gladiatorial combat in Ancient Rome to illustrate how what is considered morally acceptable varies between societies and historical contexts.

💡Absolute Truth

Absolute truth refers to something that is true at all times and in all places, independent of human beliefs or perceptions. The video contrasts absolute truth with relativism, arguing that moral relativism denies the existence of universal moral standards.

💡Cultural Norms

Cultural norms are the shared expectations and rules that guide behavior of people within social groups. The video mentions how different cultures have different moral rules and social customs, using the example of how bullfighting is viewed differently in Spain versus other countries.

💡Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism is the act of judging another culture based on the standards of one's own culture. The video discusses how anthropologists adopt a non-judgmental relativism to appreciate other cultures from within, avoiding ethnocentric biases.

💡Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany refers to the period when Germany was under the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (1933-1945). The video uses this example to illustrate the dangers of moral relativism, showing how it can justify abhorrent practices like the Holocaust if morality is seen as entirely culture-specific.

💡Objective Truth

Objective truth is the concept that certain things are true regardless of human feelings, beliefs, or perceptions. The script touches on the idea that some people extend relativism to truth itself, arguing that truth can be relative, which the video critiques by highlighting the self-contradictory nature of such a claim.

💡Martian Perspective

The Martian perspective is a hypothetical viewpoint used in the video to illustrate cultural relativism. By imagining a Martian observing Earth, the video shows how different cultural practices and moral codes might appear arbitrary or relative to an outsider.

💡Non-Judgmental Relativism

Non-judgmental relativism is the approach of understanding and accepting different cultures and their practices without imposing one's own moral standards. The video explains that this perspective is popular among some anthropologists who aim to appreciate cultural practices within their own contexts.

💡Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of humans, their societies, and their customs. The video discusses how anthropologists often adopt a relativistic approach to understand different cultures' moral systems, recognizing the variability of morality across different societies.

Highlights

Moral relativism posits that moral judgments are relative to cultural differences.

There is no universal truth in moral relativism; moral standards vary across cultures.

The concept suggests acceptance of diverse moral practices without judgment.

An imagined Martian observer would perceive varying moral norms across Earth.

Cultural norms dictate what is considered right or wrong in different societies.

Bullfighting is an example of a cultural practice seen differently in Spain and elsewhere.

Historical practices like gladiatorial combat and slavery are no longer accepted universally.

Anthropologists have used relativism to understand and appreciate cultural practices within their own contexts.

Moral relativism challenges ethnocentric views that impose one's values on others.

The theory of moral relativism can lead to uncomfortable conclusions, such as accepting Nazi Germany's morality.

Relativism might require accepting morally repugnant practices as 'right' within their cultural context.

Critics argue that moral relativism should be avoided due to its potential to justify harmful practices.

Some extend relativism to truth itself, suggesting that truth is subjective and varies by context.

Political discourse today sometimes reflects the idea that truth is relative.

The self-refuting nature of relativism: if truth is relative, then the theory of relativism cannot be absolutely true.

The video concludes with a critique of relativism and an encouragement to think critically about its implications.