Podcast
Questions and Answers
What were the women free to do in their marriages according to Eskimo customs?
What were the women free to do in their marriages according to Eskimo customs?
- Select a dominant male without any restrictions
- Demand equal sexual rights from the dominant male
- Leave their husbands for a new partner (correct)
- Choose to stay with their husbands indefinitely
What practice was reported as common among the Eskimos regarding childbirth?
What practice was reported as common among the Eskimos regarding childbirth?
- Holding cultural rituals for each newborn
- Killing a significant number of infants at birth (correct)
- Celebrating the birth of every child
- Ensuring that all children received equal care
How did the Eskimos reportedly treat elderly family members who became feeble?
How did the Eskimos reportedly treat elderly family members who became feeble?
- They were left out in the snow to die (correct)
- They cared for them until natural death
- They were sent to care facilities
- They were allowed to join communal living
What does the concept of cultural relativism imply?
What does the concept of cultural relativism imply?
According to William Graham Sumner, where does the notion of 'right' originate?
According to William Graham Sumner, where does the notion of 'right' originate?
What might outsiders mistakenly label Eskimo customs as?
What might outsiders mistakenly label Eskimo customs as?
Which statement reflects a common misconception about morality within cultures?
Which statement reflects a common misconception about morality within cultures?
What is one significant aspect that differs between Eskimo marriage customs and many Western customs?
What is one significant aspect that differs between Eskimo marriage customs and many Western customs?
What is a key limitation of Cultural Relativism regarding social reform?
What is a key limitation of Cultural Relativism regarding social reform?
Why might differences in cultural practices not reflect differing values?
Why might differences in cultural practices not reflect differing values?
Which of the following claims does Cultural Relativism support?
Which of the following claims does Cultural Relativism support?
What underlying belief may lead a culture to refrain from eating cows, according to the content?
What underlying belief may lead a culture to refrain from eating cows, according to the content?
What conclusion can be drawn regarding moral disagreements across cultures?
What conclusion can be drawn regarding moral disagreements across cultures?
According to Cultural Relativism, what cannot be challenged?
According to Cultural Relativism, what cannot be challenged?
What example illustrates a moral practice that might appear acceptable in one culture but condemned in another?
What example illustrates a moral practice that might appear acceptable in one culture but condemned in another?
Which of the following statements best encapsulates the core of Cultural Relativism?
Which of the following statements best encapsulates the core of Cultural Relativism?
What does Cultural Relativism imply about the standards of morality in one’s own society?
What does Cultural Relativism imply about the standards of morality in one’s own society?
What challenge does Cultural Relativism pose to the concept of moral progress?
What challenge does Cultural Relativism pose to the concept of moral progress?
According to the criticism of Cultural Relativism, how does it affect one's ability to critique their own society?
According to the criticism of Cultural Relativism, how does it affect one's ability to critique their own society?
What can be inferred about the view of past practices under Cultural Relativism?
What can be inferred about the view of past practices under Cultural Relativism?
Which of the following statements aligns with the implications of Cultural Relativism regarding social hierarchies?
Which of the following statements aligns with the implications of Cultural Relativism regarding social hierarchies?
What limitation does Cultural Relativism place on the concept of holding a society accountable for its past actions?
What limitation does Cultural Relativism place on the concept of holding a society accountable for its past actions?
What does Cultural Relativism claim about moral codes?
What does Cultural Relativism claim about moral codes?
How does Cultural Relativism affect the perception of women's roles in history, according to the critique presented?
How does Cultural Relativism affect the perception of women's roles in history, according to the critique presented?
What is one significant implication of Cultural Relativism regarding cultural practices?
What is one significant implication of Cultural Relativism regarding cultural practices?
According to Cultural Relativism, what determines what is right within a society?
According to Cultural Relativism, what determines what is right within a society?
What is one of the criticisms of Cultural Relativism mentioned in the content?
What is one of the criticisms of Cultural Relativism mentioned in the content?
What does the Cultural Differences Argument suggest?
What does the Cultural Differences Argument suggest?
According to Cultural Relativism, how should one respond to cultural norms that conflict with their own?
According to Cultural Relativism, how should one respond to cultural norms that conflict with their own?
What do cultural relativists argue about the moral code of their own society?
What do cultural relativists argue about the moral code of their own society?
What is implied about the behavior of German soldiers upon entering Poland, according to Cultural Relativism?
What is implied about the behavior of German soldiers upon entering Poland, according to Cultural Relativism?
How does Cultural Relativism address the concept of moral truths?
How does Cultural Relativism address the concept of moral truths?
What is one stated reason for the practice of excision?
What is one stated reason for the practice of excision?
What is a long-term effect of excision mentioned in the content?
What is a long-term effect of excision mentioned in the content?
Which of the following describes a flaw in the arguments made in defense of excision?
Which of the following describes a flaw in the arguments made in defense of excision?
What might a culture-independent standard for evaluating social practices focus on?
What might a culture-independent standard for evaluating social practices focus on?
Which of the following is NOT an argument made in favor of excision?
Which of the following is NOT an argument made in favor of excision?
Why might thoughtful people hesitate to criticize the practice of excision?
Why might thoughtful people hesitate to criticize the practice of excision?
What aspect of excision is highlighted in its description of short-term effects?
What aspect of excision is highlighted in its description of short-term effects?
Which characteristic is used to argue for the potential benefits of excision?
Which characteristic is used to argue for the potential benefits of excision?
Study Notes
Eskimo Marriage and Social Customs
- Dominant males in Eskimo society often demanded sexual access to other men's wives.
- Women had the autonomy to leave their husbands and choose new partners, provided there were no repercussions.
- Eskimo marriages were described as volatile and markedly different from Western customs.
Attitudes Toward Life and Death
- Common practices included infanticide, with reports of women killing a significant number of their children at birth.
- Female infants were killed more frequently than males, with no associated social stigma.
- Elderly family members who became frail were often abandoned in the snow to die.
Perspective on Cultural Norms
- Conceptions of right and wrong vary significantly between cultures; what seems natural to one may be viewed as primitive by another.
- Cultural relativism posits that no universal moral truths exist; each society's customs must be judged based on its own standards.
Concepts of Cultural Relativism
- Different societies possess distinct moral codes, steering what is considered right within each culture.
- Moral codes are culturally bound, with no absolute standard for judging one society's norms against another's.
- Societal norms underscore that morality is relative, discouraging intercultural moral criticism or superiority.
Tolerance Versus Judgment
- Cultural relativism advocates for tolerance of other cultures but raises dilemmas about judging intolerant practices within one's own culture.
- The example of Nazi Germany illustrates the conflict between cultural relativism and the recognition of universally accepted morality.
Challenges of Moral Critique
- Cultural relativism suggests that societal moral codes should not be criticized, potentially rendering harmful practices exempt from scrutiny.
- Social reform is constrained by the norms of the culture; changes are only recognized as improvements if they align with societal ideals.
- The concept of moral progress is undermined, as it can only be judged within the confines of cultural norms.
Misconceptions of Cultural Disagreement
- Apparent moral differences between cultures may actually stem from differing beliefs rather than fundamentally different values.
- Practices like the Eskimo infanticide may be seen as morally divergent, but understanding cultural reasoning can bridge perceived gaps in values.
Culture-Independent Standards
- Practices such as excision raise the issue of whether they can be justified based on their harm or benefit to individuals and society.
- Assessing social practices through the lens of human welfare provides a potentially universal standard beyond cultural relativism.
Reluctance to Criticize Other Cultures
- Despite moral concerns, individuals may hesitate to condemn practices such as excision due to complex social, cultural, and personal factors.
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Description
Explore the unique marriage customs and sexual practices of the Eskimo community. This quiz delves into the contrasts between Eskimo traditions and more conventional marriage structures, highlighting the fluidity and volatility of their social practices.
