CULTURAL RELATIVISM AND UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS – Carolyn fluehr –Lobban

 

2. Central quotation:

Select a quotation, which in your view sums up the key point/s of the text. Copy it accurately and give the page reference. Explain, briefly, why this quote is so important for an understanding of the article/extract.

“ what a member of one culture might view as strange and bizarre in another culture (for example, polygamy, body tattooing, or strict dietary laws) can be understood best within that culture’s context Page 1 

- In my opinion this quote is trying to say that as there are so many culture in the world and each of them are different form one another we tend to find other cultures very strange .It is important too understand this quote as it is what the author trying to teach us not to judge any culture as no culture is bad it is just how we see it .

3. Argument:

Summarize the basic argument of the article/extract

The basic argument of the article is mainly about culture relativism, how people view different culture in different ways. I think that it mainly focusing on women.  As people have strong belief in culture I feel that  women are ones  facing many difficulties. There are many examples given in the article about women being dominated. The Islamic philosophers and political activists deny that a woman can be a head of family or state. As the anthropologist shares her research on Sudan, one of the African countries where the practice of female circumcision is widespread. How the culture forces ever women to be circumcised other wise the wont be respected.

4. Counter-argument:

Provide a reasoned criticism or counter argument you may wish to make.

- Firstly after reading this article It has given me a new perspective about culture. I had never herd about how women were circumcised in Africa. Even though we  have studied and learnt about cultural relativism  but if a culture bring harm to an anyone it should not be left. After a woman is circumcised  she faces many problems like infections and facing extreme pain while giving birth and sexual intercourse because of  it  so we should try to stop it .

5. Experiential connection:

Anything in your own experience, which supports or challenges the argument.

No, I haven’t had any experience which supports or challenges the argument.

6. Implications:

Suppose the argument is right. So what? What difference does it make? Why does it matter?

-For me this article is right and it has given a better understanding about how anthropologist work (they observe , record but do not evaluate of other peoples custom and values ).It has changed my perspective towards viewing culture .