Ethical relativism puts forth the doctrine that there are no moral views or beliefs that apply to all cultures. If this belief was held true throughout society then even the smallest sub-cultures would have their own set of “rules” to live by and no one could say a word if they were grossly astray from the norms of greater society. In that particular group it would be viewed as perfectly normal behavior. This creates a system where no person regardless of their assumed authority by society can tell another what is wrong, a turn in the direction of chaos. Or more precisely, an attitude that does not strive for progression or advancement and simply takes the lowest denominator.
The idea of ethical relativism says that what is right in one culture may be wrong in another, yet to that culture it is right and therefore cannot be discriminated against. This can be applied to an infinite number of groups and sub-cultures throughout the world. The borough of Kutztown has many sub-cultures in this very small area. Locals are relatively conservative and rural, where the students who live here for portions of a year come from all over the world with their own beliefs and traditions. The local population always clashes with the student p
Ruth Benedict’s argument is valid to say that what is normal in one culture can be abnormal and deviant in another. However, as stated in the preceding paragraph, to have absolute relativism would cause an imbalance in society. Without some cross-cultural norms this situation would be unavoidable.
It is difficult to use the United States as an example here because within the culture of the USA there are numerous sub-cultures that lie among it. Each sub-culture defines what is normal and abnormal to the people within it. The drug dealers on the streets of New York could care less about the norms of greater society in the rest of the world. To them doing what is necessary to collect money or get the drugs is normal. Walter Stace put forth the idea that without some universal rules people like the drug dealers in New York could do what they see fit and no one could to anything, creating a state of no moral progress.
opulation because of the views about what students can do for fun and why the town cracks down on any type of event that takes place. To the students there is nothing wrong with going out on any given night to drink and have fun with friends. The locals feel that the students should be con
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