Eskimo Marriage Customs Quiz

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Questions and Answers

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?

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?

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?

Moral codes differ across cultures Signup and view all the answers

According to William Graham Sumner, where does the notion of 'right' originate?

From the traditional practices of ancestors Signup and view all the answers

What might outsiders mistakenly label Eskimo customs as?

Backwards or primitive Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a common misconception about morality within cultures?

Moral values are universally applicable Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant aspect that differs between Eskimo marriage customs and many Western customs?

The freedom to change partners easily Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of Cultural Relativism regarding social reform?

It suggests improvement is only measured against a society's own ideals. Signup and view all the answers

Why might differences in cultural practices not reflect differing values?

Differences are often only apparent and not real. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following claims does Cultural Relativism support?

It is wrong to judge any culture against universal standards. Signup and view all the answers

What underlying belief may lead a culture to refrain from eating cows, according to the content?

Cows embody the souls of deceased humans. Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be drawn regarding moral disagreements across cultures?

Moral disagreements are often more complex than they appear. Signup and view all the answers

According to Cultural Relativism, what cannot be challenged?

The ideals that define a society’s progress. Signup and view all the answers

What example illustrates a moral practice that might appear acceptable in one culture but condemned in another?

The killing of healthy infants among the Eskimos. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best encapsulates the core of Cultural Relativism?

Understanding a culture requires recognizing its beliefs and customs. Signup and view all the answers

What does Cultural Relativism imply about the standards of morality in one’s own society?

They are infallible and cannot be criticized. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge does Cultural Relativism pose to the concept of moral progress?

It raises doubt about whether changes can be seen as improvements. Signup and view all the answers

According to the criticism of Cultural Relativism, how does it affect one's ability to critique their own society?

It restricts any form of critique of one's societal norms. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the view of past practices under Cultural Relativism?

They had their own time and place, thus beyond criticism. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements aligns with the implications of Cultural Relativism regarding social hierarchies?

Social hierarchies cannot be criticized if they conform to cultural norms. Signup and view all the answers

What limitation does Cultural Relativism place on the concept of holding a society accountable for its past actions?

It prevents judging past actions by current societal standards. Signup and view all the answers

What does Cultural Relativism claim about moral codes?

Moral codes vary between societies and have no universal truth. Signup and view all the answers

How does Cultural Relativism affect the perception of women's roles in history, according to the critique presented?

It implies that traditional roles are acceptable within their historical context. Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant implication of Cultural Relativism regarding cultural practices?

Cultural practices are seen as inherently good if they conform to societal norms. Signup and view all the answers

According to Cultural Relativism, what determines what is right within a society?

The moral code of that society. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the criticisms of Cultural Relativism mentioned in the content?

It cannot justify tolerance in the face of intolerance. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Cultural Differences Argument suggest?

Moral judgments are subjective and based on cultural facts. Signup and view all the answers

According to Cultural Relativism, how should one respond to cultural norms that conflict with their own?

By tolerating and accepting the norms of the other culture. Signup and view all the answers

What do cultural relativists argue about the moral code of their own society?

It is just one of many valid moral codes. Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the behavior of German soldiers upon entering Poland, according to Cultural Relativism?

They are bound by the norms of Polish society. Signup and view all the answers

How does Cultural Relativism address the concept of moral truths?

It claims there are no moral truths that hold for all people at all times. Signup and view all the answers

What is one stated reason for the practice of excision?

It reduces unwanted pregnancies among unmarried women. Signup and view all the answers

What is a long-term effect of excision mentioned in the content?

Chronic infection. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a flaw in the arguments made in defense of excision?

They suggest benefits without clear justification. Signup and view all the answers

What might a culture-independent standard for evaluating social practices focus on?

The promotion of human happiness. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an argument made in favor of excision?

It is necessary for the survival of the community. Signup and view all the answers

Why might thoughtful people hesitate to criticize the practice of excision?

They respect cultural traditions. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of excision is highlighted in its description of short-term effects?

It leads to physical complications. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is used to argue for the potential benefits of excision?

Women who are excised are seen as more mature. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.