Cultural Relativism: What Makes Something Morally Good Or Bad?

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The way in which people justify goodness, varies from individual to individual. What makes something morally good or bad? Numerous theories have emerged throughout time, including Cultural Relativism and Divine Command Theory. There are both compelling and convincing arguments given for each of the theories. While completely different in nature, both pose an interesting base on which to judge if something is morally good or bad. Cultural Relativism can be described as the principle of regarding the beliefs, values, and practices of a culture from the viewpoint of that culture itself. It is a simpler term, not judging another’s cultural practices based on one’s own cultural and moral beliefs. Ruth Benedict was one of the first anthropologist to apply Cultural Relativism when studying another culture. She studied under Franz Boas, who is considered the founder of Cultural Relativism. She made many advances and contributions in the field of cultural anthropology. In addition she published numerous …show more content…
In the play, the question “what is piety (moral)?” is examined by Socrates when Euthyphro brings his own father into court on murder charges. Euthyphro’s first definition of piety is what he is doing. He believes he is doing the right thing because the Gods said that murder is wrong no matter who commits it. Socrates fires back by saying that it is not a definition and that he needs to explain further. His second argument is piety is what the Gods desire, or what they like. Socrates debunks Euthyphro once again by arguing, what if the Gods disagree on what they like, what then? Euthyphro’s final definition of piety is what is dear to all the Gods. The third objection from Socrates is, is something pious because it is dear to the Gods or is it dear to the Gods because it’s pious. Socrates efficiently de-constructs Euthyphro’s entire definition of what is piety and why he follows
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