November Monthly Blog

 Throughout history, society’s most fatal clashes were fought over differences in culture. Cultural domination has caused multiple wars in every type of society dating back to the Ancient Greeks and going through modern society. The article had compared the Eskimos to our cultural norms. Rachels quotes “’Different cultures have different moral codes’- has seemed to be the key to understanding morality. The idea of universal truth in ethics, they say, is a myth” (Rachels 53).  James Rachels is explaining that every culture cannot be identical; and to try to unify all cultures would be morally wrong. Each group has the right to cultural difference and the oppression of cultures would take away those rights. Personally, when I hear cultural superiority is the Holocaust. After reading this article, I find myself relating to the views of a cultural relativist that is portrayed in the article. James Rachels provides every aspect of cultural relativism. We like to think we live in a world full of individuality and independence, but yet cultures are being suppressed for religious and political reasons all of the time. This suppression was seen in Chinua Achebe’s novel, Things Fall Apart, as the villagers individually responded to the influence of European culture.  The Umuofia tribe felt both the religious pressure as the six missionaries traveled to Nigeria. They are hoping to spread their Christianity, which they view as superior to the tribe’s religion. Okonkwo refuses to succumb to the new religion of Christianity. If discussed, I believe that Okonkwo would consider himself a cultural relativist; he gave his life in rebellion to the influence and change. The whole clan was stuck between the Igbo traditions and embracing the new opportunities brought by the visiting missionaries. It comes down to the idea of superiority in: race, religion, gender or sexuality. These are differences that make us individuals. With one common culture, our world loses the value of individuality. Cultural domination can be stopped with acceptance and less criticism; but our society is taking small steps towards independence. Rachels suggests that before society judges another culture, they should ask why they have these customs and the significance they have to the culture.