Importance of cultural relativism in anthropology - Essay Example

? Importance of cultural relativism in anthropology Relativism of culture refers to a scenario wherewhat is considered to be ethical in one community, may be viewed unethical and unacceptable in another. With this understanding, one should not relate arrogantly with people from another cultural background because of their behavior. Additionally, in studying behavioral aspects of a group of people, there will be flexibility in viewing it. Before cultural relativism was brought in limelight, people viewed cultural practices to undergo evolution (Moser and Carson 23-69). This was explained by, some cultures being preferred to others. Preferred cultural practices influenced cultures in other communities to evolve. Anthropology is a field of study that entails research on human being’s behavior. Culture main determine individual’s conduct. Therefore, studying human behavior cannot be comprehensive without factoring in the cultural aspect. Many other disciplines on study of human behavior have however failed to fully consider culture as primary factor determining human behavior. Scientist researchers assumed that human behavior is majorly linked to biological factors and not culture. Early in 19th century, it was realized that none of the cultures was better than another. It was now believed that cultures are just different with none being superior to another. It was then, that anthropology discipline embraced cultural relativism as a key tool. Relativism argument contributed greatly to anthropology growth. It has contributed essentially in history of anthropology. Anthropologists employ cultural relativism argument that acknowledges existence of distinctive cultural values by different groups of people. In anthropology, no condemnation should be made based on the cultural differences. Cultural relativism does not allow any form of condemnation regarding immoral tendencies (Sikka 43-93). A cultural relativity does not respond enough to ethical issues that need to be addressed. In reality, some of ethical practices like torture cannot be tolerated. Therefore, anthropologists should not just allow such malpractices be carried on and not respond accordingly. Today, there are critics about suitability of relativism application in anthropology. However, anthropologists still hold strongly to the fact that in reality, culture influences human behavior. Anthropology pays much attention to the interpretation of data than it is with scientific disciplines that focus mainly on giving explanations. There have been divisions in the whole anthropology field based on different opinions about the place of culture in human behavior. Some endorse scientific procedures to be used in research to provide an explanation in human behavior. In their argument, they assume that evolution contributes to human behavior. On the other hand, other anthropologists hold that culture plays a major role in shaping people’s behavior. They still value relativism in human behavior study. Most anthropologists are reluctant in protecting rights of human beings. Anthropologists should not use relativism of culture as an excuse for not protecting the rights of people. They should be in forefront in ensuring cultural practices that violate other people’s rights are banned. Cultural practices should be broken when protecting people’s rights. Relativism contributed enormously in the discipline of social science. However, there have been numerous critics disapproving the essence of relativism in social sciences. Many people including anthropologists take this argument to be not relativistic. Cultural relativism objects theories that do not provide appropriate framework that provides analyses for data from different cultures. Relativism theory upholds that in examining human thoughts and action, the process should be relativistic not particularistic. Particularistic approach only embrace single framework in analyzing set of data. In studying human behavior, this method should be discarded in order to achieve the study objective. In studying the behavior of a group of people, there should be an opportunity to do comparisons across other cultures for better understanding and interpretation. In addition, anthropologists should embrace the importance of reality in doing their data analysis. Physical conditions give observer extensive information of the study concept. Over years, cultural relativism is criticized for it does not allow generalization, which is mainly used in scientific researches. Anthropologists have however supported cultural relativism despite critics from other disciplines. Relativism in culture is essential despite misunderstandings. Cultural relativism provides the data analyst with an opportunity to compare ones cultural values with others. One culture should be used as the baseline to analyze other cultures. Instead, culture should be interpreted independently. There is always a reference frame from a specific culture that is used in analyses and evaluation of human behavior. This practice is not adequate to make cultural relativities any better from other approach of data analysis. Strengths and weaknesses of Ethnographic Fieldwork Ethnographic refers to a research method in which the researcher directly interacts and observes the distinctive group collecting information through various ways. Mainly, participant observation is useful to the researcher in understanding community better. Data collected can be used as a foundation for making informed interpretations about that community. In using the ethnographic method in fieldwork, it is important to weigh its strengths against weaknesses. This procedure is used in judging quality of ethnographic study. Ethnographic method is known to spend many resources when used. It is therefore essential to establish that the benefits of using this method exceed the cost. In medical studies, this method of research is highly used; this approach is employed in study of human behavior. The challenge is in establishing whether it is a suitable research procedure in the field or there are other suitable methods. There have been critics on the use of this method anthropology (Stewart and Andrew 33-107). While in some instances, it is illogical to use ethnographic research, at other instances, it is the only method suitable. It is therefore important to assess the suitability of ethnography research before investing in it, which is expensive. Strengths of ethnographies The method enables the researcher to focus on the subject matter with naturalism. The researcher should not use his own knowledge about the studied community. He should use this method to come up with the reality of the people’s situation. The behavior of people can be expressed through their beliefs, experiences and feelings. This method allows the researcher to use a neutral approach in data collection. This is majorly the case in a study involving several cultural groups. The researcher does not use other communities’ data to prejudge the other communities’ values. This method is widely used when there is a need to seek to understand different cultural values. This method allows the researcher to have opportunity to collect sufficient data useful in making findings’ description that is true and convincing. Other methods of field study may not allow for collection of extensive data that is useful in convincing the audience about the reliability of the data. This method is undertaken mainly by respected researchers. This makes the research to be reliable since people have trust with the researcher capability. Before any research is carried out through this method, it has to pass through various group organizations for approval. Approval further ensures that the data collected through this method is reliable. Additionally, there are specified judges to assess the quality of ethnographic study. This leaves one with no doubt that the research findings from the method are of good quality and reliable. Ethnographic study can be employed when there is need of bringing change. This is because, the community members have an opportunity to interact with the researchers and participate freely. The researcher is able to capture real life scenario, which is important when deciding on actions to be taken in response to the findings and conclusions of the research. This method gives researcher the opportunity to make the research inclusive of ecology suitability. Weakness of ethnography Ethnographic research is expensive in consideration to money and human input. Long research period is required to make the findings substantive. This translates to huge wage requirements and other costs inclusive. Therefore, before endorsing ethnography research as a fit research method, it is important to establish that there are no other suitable research methods to be used. This method can promote prejudiced attitudes by researcher and the targeted audience. It is established that is hard to reduce researcher influence in this study approach. Throughout the study period, the researcher has influence always. This research method can motivate exploitative tenders on the people, whose culture is being studied. This is especially the case when the research findings are focused on a specific aspect and not a true data about the community situation as a whole. To prevent this issue, researchers should not treat any findings as insignificant. Even the minute deal should be captured in the report. Additionally, each participant’s contribution should be respected by the researcher and nothing should be imposed on the community by the researcher. However, this has been difficulty, since many times the researchers are isolated from the reach of external observers who can check on their conduct while in the field. At times, ethnography encourages wrong representation of data. Mainly, the nature of data displayed is largely dependent on the researchers’ attitude and opinion on the subject matters. This has contributed to constant critics from people, discouraging the use of ethnographic methods in the study of human behavior. This method does not offer validity in the research findings. Works cited Moser, Paul K, and Thomas L. Carson. Moral Relativism: A Reader. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print. Sikka, Sonia. Herder on Humanity and Cultural Difference: Enlightened Relativism. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2011. Print. Stewart, Pamela J, and Andrew Strathern. Violence: Theory and Enthography. London, UK: Continuum, 2002. Print. Read More