We discussed cultural relativity in class today and defined it as judging a culture on its own terms, and not through your own culture. Do you think it is possible to be completely objective, not biased, when judging another culture?
I think it is impossible to be completely objective when one is judging another culture. Whenever you look at something foreign, you are looking at it with the context of your own world and experiences. For example, I know that I thought it to be strange, and a little funny, when the bishop raised the possibility that Sierva Maria has demons. In the context of my modern, science-based world, there are no demons inhabiting the body. A couple of hundred years ago, however, peoples' views might have been different. They probably believed in, and were deathly afraid of demons. When I try to look at it from their point of view, I understand their reasoning, but I still have not achieved cultural relativism, because their fear of demons makes me think of their society as simplistic. From their point of view however, they had the most advanced society and science in the world. In 200 years, new science may have again changed the way the world is looked at, and when future people look at how we did things, won't they think that we are ignorant and unsophisticated?
I agree that you cannot be completely objective when judging another culture. Judging is to form an opinion about something, and that opinion cannot be neutral when you have your own way of life to compare it to. You are always looking at something through the eyes of your experiences, and your 'normal' way of life. There would not be culture differences if people did not have opinions about the 'right' and 'wrong' ways of life, and this, in itself, creates objectivity.
I agree too. I don't think there is a point where one can conclude they are not biased at all. In your head wether you try to or not your are going to form an opinion. The opinion you make will be formed by your culture now and earlier in your life. Wether you are a historian or student you will view things differently then how they were at the time. But, I believe they best historians or students are the ones who try the hardest to be cultural relativists. We should just accept the ways of the past.
I think it is possible, but very difficult. Most of us, since birth, were taught specific strict views and opinions. Out own culture and where we come from greatly and significantly influence out thoughts, whether we recognize it or not.,in order to have cultural relativism for another nation, we just have an open mind, and recognize that life for them, in almost every way is different than our own. Every individual is unique in its own way. I think that we need to put our own values and previous knowledge aside to learn to appreciate and accept all cultures.
I think it is impossible to be completely objective when one is judging another culture. Whenever you look at something foreign, you are looking at it with the context of your own world and experiences. For example, I know that I thought it to be strange, and a little funny, when the bishop raised the possibility that Sierva Maria has demons. In the context of my modern, science-based world, there are no demons inhabiting the body. A couple of hundred years ago, however, peoples' views might have been different. They probably believed in, and were deathly afraid of demons. When I try to look at it from their point of view, I understand their reasoning, but I still have not achieved cultural relativism, because their fear of demons makes me think of their society as simplistic. From their point of view however, they had the most advanced society and science in the world. In 200 years, new science may have again changed the way the world is looked at, and when future people look at how we did things, won't they think that we are ignorant and unsophisticated?
ReplyDeleteI agree that you cannot be completely objective when judging another culture. Judging is to form an opinion about something, and that opinion cannot be neutral when you have your own way of life to compare it to. You are always looking at something through the eyes of your experiences, and your 'normal' way of life. There would not be culture differences if people did not have opinions about the 'right' and 'wrong' ways of life, and this, in itself, creates objectivity.
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ReplyDeleteI agree too. I don't think there is a point where one can conclude they are not biased at all. In your head wether you try to or not your are going to form an opinion. The opinion you make will be formed by your culture now and earlier in your life. Wether you are a historian or student you will view things differently then how they were at the time. But, I believe they best historians or students are the ones who try the hardest to be cultural relativists. We should just accept the ways of the past.
ReplyDeleteI think it is possible, but very difficult. Most of us, since birth, were taught specific strict views and opinions. Out own culture and where we come from greatly and significantly influence out thoughts, whether we recognize it or not.,in order to have cultural relativism for another nation, we just have an open mind, and recognize that life for them, in almost every way is different than our own. Every individual is unique in its own way. I think that we need to put our own values and previous knowledge aside to learn to appreciate and accept all cultures.
ReplyDelete