A CASE FOR CULTURAL RELATIVISM IN A GLOBALIZING WORLD

Abstract

It has been argued that cultural relativism has only created greater problems for humanity in the sense that it has helped polarize the world along the line of difference. Put differently, many have argued that, cultural relativism in its many strands, if allowed to stand will plunge the world into a theatre of intolerance and ultimately, conflict. This paper attempted to debunk such assertions and argued that relativism especially from its cultural dimension is what confers identity on a group. It also made the point that we have to acknowledge difference before we can tell where there are overlaps among human cultures. The paper adopted arguments from relativists like Rorty, Kuhn, Quine and Anyanwu to place relativism on an enviable pedestal. The analytical, critical and reconstructive methods of philosophy were employed in this work. The analytical method helped in clarifying concepts like relativism, culture, subjective, ethical and identity. The critical method was employed to examine the positive aspects of cultural relativism while the method of reconstruction was necessary in linking the views of the advocates already mentioned. The paper recommended that even if there would eventually be a communion of world cultures, it is quite vital to first give primacy to that which defines a person – his cultural heritage. This summarily underscores the primal support for cultural relativism.