UCSP Week 3 ( Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism )

ETHNOCENTRISM AND CULTURAL RELATIVISM

—> it is important to keep an open minded and become aware of one’s biases that might result to an invalid interpretation of other cultures

—> in anthropology, there’re two ideas referring to such attitudes: ethnocentrism and cultural relativism

ETHNOCENTRISM

—> is the tendency to believe one’s culture is superior than other cultures. Seeing the word only as the “center of everything”

—> belongs in making judgments and assumptions about other cultures

—> ethnocentric beliefs about one’s culture. This may result to judging that specific group as the inferior one, in this scenario, the cultural standards of urban cities were use to judge the culture of those living in rural areas

—> during the time of Adolf Hitler, Germans believed that they’re a superior race, this led to the death of 6 million Jews. Hate crimes and terrorism violence can usually traced back to religious conflicts and misunderstanding

—> ethnocentric beliefs may provide a sense of belongingness

CULTURAL RELATIVISM

—> it’s begs us to respect differences, always taking into consideration the cultural context in which practice belongs

—> by taking an emic perspective in studying cultural groups and practices, one can gather a more understanding of the subjects at hand

—> an emic referred to as the “ insiders perspective”of studying culture. Suggests that every culture is equal. This concept a specific culture should only be viewed in context of its own cultural standards

—> teaches us to be tolerant and respectful of cultures that are different from ours, still noteworthy that concept is not a moral position. The morality of cultural practices are being studied is a separate issue altogether.

—> cultural relativism would help him understand the process, purpose, function and motivation behind practice

—> it is neither one is civilized nor primitive, only different, but equal. Where ethnocentrism ends, cultural relativism begins

1. FRANZ BOAS

—> a german american who first introduced this concept of cultural relativism

• YULIN DOG MEAT FESTIVAL

—> is annual 10 day event where over 10,000 dogs are eaten. The event in this remote part of southern China, particularly in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Activists have reported that animals are slaughtered inhumanely using clubs in public

—> Dogs are brought to Yulin from across China in cramped conditions, and some animals collars, indicating they’re stolen pets

• HIJAB

—> an islamic culture which covers women bodies, from head to toe except their hand and faces, hijab fulfills a significantly purpose their religion, islam regards women highly, which functions as protection of womens dignity and honor

XENOCENTRISM

—> on has reference for a foreign culture’s good ideas, styles and traditions over their culture