Different Cultures and Different Moral Beliefs - Admission/Application Essay Example

Thus morality is a relative concept and this has led to the emergence of the term relativism. Relativism can be defined more properly as a view that claims that there are no universally accepted rules and that different beliefs are true in their respective societies and the respective matters in which they occur. Descriptive relativism, normative relativism and culture normative relativism are types of relativisms which assist in the understanding of the different thoughts that human beings have with regard to moral and ethical values.

I believe that these forms of relativism provide a clearer picture of the differences that exist in the human beings with regard to morality and this is clearly highlighted by means of the cultural variations that exist in different parts of the world (Baofu 2011; Reeves 2004). Descriptive relativism is a generalized philosophical term which explains the fact that the human race does not believe in a universal point of view. It explains that human beings have different standpoints and positions with regard to matters like religions, customs, traditions and ethical values. . It does not categorize them as being correct or wrong (Baofu 2011).

In my opinion, descriptive relativism as the name describes only tends to provide the description of the fact that differences can be openly seen in different cultures and religions. This form of relativism explains the variations between the human beings across the globe and just puts forward the important fact that moral and ethical relativities are present in the world. Normative relativism extends the meaning of descriptive relativism. It accepts the point presented by descriptive relativism that there are variations between the beliefs, cultures and religions of human beings but it further elaborates descriptive relativism.

It presents the view that there is no universal truth or act which can be justified to be correct. Rather it can be said that every cultural belief, moral stand and custom is correct within the confines where it is considered to be right and it highlights the fact that nothing can be labeled as universally correct or incorrect (Baofu 2011). In my opinion normative relativism further helps to understand the relativities that exist between the human beings in the world. This form of relativism clearly justifies the fact that no single culture or belief can be considered to be superior to the other.

But it can be said that each tradition and act is correct according to the beliefs of that specific group of people. It indicates the fact that no one can label an act to be incorrect but it is rather a choice of a group to decide what is correct according to their norms. Normative cultural relativism is a more specific form of normative relativism. This form of relativism is culture specific and distinguishes the fact that there are certain moral values that are upheld by a