Culture is shared norms and values and ways of interacting that bind together members of society or some other collection of people together. Across cultures, the classification systems differ, e.g. in west, it is abnormal to hear voices but in some religions hearing voices can be desirable. A lot of diagnosing is to do with social norms, however these can easily change over time or space. The DSM and similar books are often made in western society so they can’t be used correctly in eastern societies making them culturally biased.
Ethnocentrism is the way an individual look at the world from his/her own beliefs in their culture. They feel that their culture, race, or ethnic group is more significant and that their culture is more superior than any other culture of other groups. In feeling this way the individuals will judge other groups, such as their behavior, the language in which they use, religion. How it could be detrimental to society is that it could lead to false speculation about the differences in cultures. It leads to society making premature judgments about other cultures, not knowing all the facts about another culture.
Morals concern what is right and wrong. Right and wrong usually vary depending on what is normal in a specific culture or society. Many people would agree that what is “right” is moral, but it is James Rachels that explores what makes something right. Rachels argues that it is the cultural normality’s of a society itself, that makes an action morally right, while others would disagree and claim that there is a set of “universal moral codes” that people should live by. In different societies and cultures what is morally right and wrong can be determined only within the individual mind of a person.
Perhaps more so than Emotivists, Prescriptivists see ethical language as fairly meaningful. They believe that the terms used are able to create absolute rules that everyone ought to follow. It would seem that ethical language is seen by many as very meaningful, although for varying reasons. However agent centred theories such as Virtue Ethics would argue that our main focus of morality should be on becoming as virtuous as possible, rather than deciding what is meant by ethical language. Therefore it would seem that perhaps morality should be more focussed on individuals’ actions rather then defining what is meant by ‘good’ and
Beef consumers have an uninformed idea that all the beef they are eating is pure and healthy for you. Consumers are trying to feel safer by ignoring certain facts, but it is putting them in danger. Willed ignorance can cause more harm than good. It is a strategy of avoidance. Fast food and beef production industries want consumers to be willfully ignorant of different aspects of the beef production.
Cultural Relativism, a term used to describe individual’s beliefs that should be accepted in one’s cultural but also can be denied in society. In James Rachels’ essay, “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism”, she brings up varies examples that contradicts with one society’s beliefs to another society. She uses this term and analyzes it different situations proving that it can be controversial at times since no one should have the same thinking process as another person. For example, if you were to take to civilizations of the past and tell them to trade beliefs. They would find it outrages since it would be unorthodox to their teachings.
In general, vegans have much stronger political beliefs regarding their diet, with some believing animals should be protected under many of the same laws that humans are. | * | * | Introduction | Veganism is a philosophy and compassionate lifestyle whose adherents seek to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. Vegans endeavor not to use or consume animal products of any kind. | Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes meat (including game and slaughter by-products; fish, shellfish and other sea animals; and poultry). There are several variants of the diet, some of which also exclude eggs.
For instance, pro-life proponents emphasize the importance of life as an intrinsic value derived from their religious principles. Yet, why aren’t those tenets extended to animals? I find it amusing that religious establishments - enshrined with the same principles alike- like In-N-Out or Chick-fil-A fuel the production of animal cruelty. Chick-fil-A even goes as far as to market a cow as their mascot, holding up a sign indicating to its audience to “eat more chicken”. It’s
It varies from place to place. Humans are humans, and so we should view things the same. But there are outside influences in cultures that make us see the discussed views differently. There is no truth in defining what is just and unjust but we are persuaded by believing what is in our morals by following the evidence, logic and reasoning behind each argument made. The author says “and one ought to bring up the question whether it is those who are sane or those who are demented who speak at the right moment”.
I believe that Cultural Relativism is acceptable today as there are no universal moral truths. In different cultures certain actions have different meanings and we coming from different cultures find it difficult to comprehend the historical and cultural practices. It is more important to look at the act in context of that particular cultures moral stand on what is right and wrong. Cultural relativism is seen as wrong by many people due to what is considered inhumane by other cultural standards yet it comes down to the point of who can justify what is morally right and wrong and should we try and westernize these cultures which in the end will destroy their cultures belief and years of cultural practice. No one can ultimately set out a list of moral universal truths as they could not possibly take into consideration all practices upheld by different cultures.