CULTURAL RELATIVISM AND MULTICULTURALISM

Cultural Relativism

The ability to understand a culture on its own terms without judging it using the standards of one's own culture.

Goal of Cultural Relativism

To promote understanding of cultural practices that are not typically part of one's own culture and recognize that no culture is superior to another in terms of morality, law, politics, and other systems.

Absolute Cultural Relativism

Everything that happens within a culture should not be questioned by outsiders.

Critical Cultural Relativism

Examines cultural practices by asking who accepts them and why, while recognizing power relationships.

Cultural relativism requires what?

open-mindedness, willingness to adapt to new cultures, and respect for other people and their cultures.

Multiculturalism

The existence, acceptance, or promotion of multiple cultural traditions within a single society or jurisdiction.

Causes of Multiculturalism

May result from combining areas with different cultures or through immigration from different parts of the world.

Importance of Multiculturalism

Recognizes and promotes cultural diversity within society and can help build social capital, although it may also lead to conflicts and divisions.

Multiculturalism in the Philippines

An ongoing process whose development largely depends on government initiatives and policies.

Cultural Sensitivity

Being aware that cultural differences and similarities exist without assigning them values such as right or wrong, better or worse.

Purpose of Cultural Sensitivity

Develops respect and understanding for cultural differences, allowing effective interactions with people from different cultures.