What is cultural relativism?

Cultural relativism involves understanding and evaluating a culture based on its own values, beliefs, and practices, rather than imposing external standards or judgments. This approach fosters appreciation for the diversity of cultural expressions and practices across different societies, allowing for a more nuanced understanding that acknowledges the contextual significance of cultural norms.

By assessing a culture based on its own standards, one can appreciate the internal logic and meaning that its members attribute to their practices. This concept challenges ethnocentrism, where one’s own culture is seen as the benchmark for all others, promoting respect and tolerance for cultural differences.

In contrast, the other options refer to concepts that do not align with cultural relativism. For instance, adopting foreign practices does not necessarily involve understanding or valuing them from the culture's perspective. Viewing one’s culture as superior involves a biased evaluation that cultural relativism seeks to counteract. Lastly, observing cultural practices without comprehension lacks the deeper engagement and respect that cultural relativism embodies; it does not truly capture what it means to evaluate culture by its own standards.