Understanding other culture

‘Cultural relativism’ is in anthropology is a key methodological concept which is universally accepted within the discipline. This concept is based on theoretical considerations which are key to the understanding of ‘scientific’ anthropology as they are key to the understanding of the anthropological frame of mind. Cultural relativism is an anthropological approach which posit that all cultures are of equal value and need to be studied from a neutral point of view. The study of a and/or any culture has to be done with a cold and neutral eye so that a particular culture can be understood at its own merits and not another culture’s. ‘Cultural pluralism’ is the concept that exists when all groups within a larger society maintain their unique cultural identities. In a pluralist culture, unique groups not only coexist side by side, but also consider qualities of other groups as traits worth having in the dominant culture. For example, a community center in the United States may offer classes in Indian yoga, Chinese calligraphy, and Latin salsa dancing. That city may also house one or more synagogues, mosques, mandirs, gurdwaras, and/or Buddhist temples, as well as several churches of various Christian denominations. The existence of such institutions and practices is possible if the cultural communities responsible for them are protected by law and accepted by the larger society in a pluralist culture.

  Culture is diverse and unique itself. Desirable concept of each culture is different. Thus, all cultures should be considered by its own context and value. There is no common standard and value of each society. It is relative. Without considering the unique of each culture, there is no objective standard to compare societies and nobody can say that some cultures are more developed or superior than others. So, I think that we should understand and pay attention to not only our culture but also other cultures.