similarities and difference between cultural relativism and ethnocentrism
Similarities and Difference Between Cultural Relativism and Ethnocentrism
The present world consists of a variety of unique cultures. The differences and similarities observed between various cultures determine the way the people of those cultures interact with each other. The way individuals perceive other cultural practices can be broadly segregated into two types – cultural relativism and ethnocentrism. This Buzzle article compares the two and explains them in detail.
All people are the same; it's only their habits that are different.
— Confucius
What is Ethnocentrism?
William G. Summer, an American academic, introduced this term and defined it as "the technical name for the view of things in which one's own group is the center of everything, and all others are scaled and rated with reference to it". He further clarified that such a view would lead to a sense of pride, vanity, superiority over others, and contempt towards those that are not a part of that group. Ethnocentric individuals believe that their own ethnicity is centrally important and all other cultures and ethnicities must be judged according to the standards of their own culture. Distinctions are made between different cultures based on language, behavior, customs, traditions, religion, etc. These distinctions and subjective comparisons impart a cultural identity to each ethnicity.What is Cultural Relativism?
The idea was formulated by Franz Boas; however, the term was later introduced by the social theorist, Alan Locke in 1924. Cultural relativism is a view that a culture must be judged according to its own cultural standards. It proposes that all cultures have their own merits and demerits, and hence are of equal value such that there is no concept of cultural superiority. For instance, a particular practice may seem immoral or unethical according to the beliefs of a different culture, but those same practices may be perfectly acceptable and normal with respect to its own culture. This concept was developed to attempt to overcome ethnocentric bias when conducting anthropological studies. It also proposes that no culture has the right to judge another culture's customs and practices and that a culture must be understood in its own terms rather than by the standards of a foreign culture.Similarities and Differences
❥ Both these viewpoints or concepts present extremist views, i.e., while ethnocentrism leans towards intolerance, cultural relativism leans towards incredibly high tolerance of cultural features.
❥ These views involve examining a culture and all its aspects and evaluating them. The basis for evaluation differs according to the view employed.
❥ Both views present negative connotations. Ethnocentrism in its extreme form gives rise to racism and supremacism (e.g., the holocaust), while cultural relativism allows the propagation of certain practices that violate basic human rights (e.g., the practice of female genital mutilation).
❥ In terms of sensitivity, ethnocentrism is insensitive to other cultures, while cultural relativism shows high cultural sensitivity.