Ruth Benedict's Criticism Of Cultural Relativism

Cultural Relativism is the theory according to Ruth Benedict, which that human morality is based on the society in which an individual is a part of. According to Mary Midgley, however, cultural relativism assumes the truth of a theory she calls “moral isolationism”. Midgely thinks that moral isolationism is false which would mean cultural relativism is wrong. Midgley is correct when she chooses to reject moral isolationism because cultures are often a melting pot of other cultures; therefore, proving cultural relativism is misguided.

Cultural relativism entails that all cultures are above criticism which is hard to believe. In Ruth Benedict's piece, she approaches cultural relativism as being the correct way of life. Benedict uses many different

examples to support her position on the theory. For cultural relativism to be justified morality has to mean a certain thing. "Benedict views morality as dependent on the varying histories and environment of different cultures" (Benedict). Examples of different situation going on amongst cultures are the assessment of homosexuality, severe paranoia, putting people to death as a result of a loss, and many other things that may seem absurd. Benedict justifies the belief of cultural relativism by supporting that judgments can't be made due to the differences in each culture. Having laid out the central agent of cultural relativism, this brings up the theory of moral isolationism.
Moral isolationism consists of never understanding any other culture except your own well enough to make a judgment.

This theory goes hand in hand with the beliefs of cultural relativism. “Moral isolationist” according to Mary Midgely are people “who disapprove of those who morally judge others." (Midgely) Midgely assesses different examples of cultures and what a moral isolationist thinks. An example of a belief in one culture is the samurai custom of trying out a new sword by cleanly slicing an innocent passerby in two. Although most people would see this as morally incorrect. Moral isolationist believes there should be a ban on moral judgment interculturally. The moral judgment says Midgely "is a human necessity". The ban of this would cause many complications for our world. When considering moral Isolationism for what it is you see a lot of errors in that way of

living.
Many issues arise with the theory of moral isolationism.

In Midgely's article, she talks about how people take up the position of moral isolations to be respectful towards other cultures. The issue with that is it's not respectable. "nobody can respect what is entirely unintelligible to them" (Midgely). This is the same case when it comes to cultures and respecting them. Cultures are often formed around other cultures and if we couldn't judge the good and bad then we are depriving our culture of further progression. Moral isolationism forbids us to form any opinions about other societies. Some implications that moral isolationism has is never judging foreign cultures, and cultures are isolate groups and separate from one another. Another issue is people who consider themselves moral isolationist are often inconsistent: they don't oppose praising an exotic culture, which is still a form of judgment. Judgements aren't always a bad thing and that is why moral isolationism should be

rejected.
Our culture is a mix of so many cultures from Greek, Roman, American, Indian, Japanese and so much more. Our culture wouldn't be so diverse without judgments of other but there's a difference with people who form crude opinions. Crude opinions are formed by simple-minded people who completely dismiss other culture without giving them a changing them. Mary Midgely is completely correct when she chooses to reject moral isolationism. When comparing Midgely's assessment on moral isolationism she has significant evidence when comparing it to benedicts take on cultural relativism. Moral isolationism would cause a huge decline in our culture and many other cultures. Midgely talks about this world and how we all have to live in it and the only way to do that is moral.