Can Learning About Other Cultures Help Us Correct Errors in Our Own Values? A Debate Between Relativists and Objectivists

When it comes to understanding the values within our own cultures, two opposing viewpoints exist: cultural relativism and belief in objective values. The former advocates that learning about other cultures can help correct errors in our own values, while the latter maintains that such learning may be beneficial but ultimately depends on the specific values under consideration.

Cultural Relativism

A cultural relativist would likely answer, 'Yes, learning about other cultures can help us correct errors in our own values.' This perspective emphasizes that each culture operates within its own context and framework. By understanding different cultural systems and practices, we can gain a broader perspective on our own cultural values.

From a cultural relativist's viewpoint, learning about other cultures does not involve trying to impose one's own cultural standards but rather understanding the intrinsic value and meaning behind different cultural practices. This deeper understanding can reveal how our own cultural values might be flawed or at least open to improvement. For instance, by observing the behaviors and beliefs of individuals as diverse as serial murderers and criminals, we can identify harmful or counterproductive aspects in our own behavior, even those that we previously perceived as positive or neutral.

Objective Values

In contrast, a believer in objective values would likely argue that learning about other cultures can help correct errors in our own values only in certain contexts. This perspective posits that there is a universal standard of what is 'good' and 'right,' independent of cultural context.

According to a believer in objective values, the world consists of a definable reality ('objective reality') that is observable and verifiable. Values, on the other hand, are not objective in the same sense. Values reflect individual or collective preferences, beliefs, and goals. They are inherently subjective and not subject to empirical verification.

The argument might go as follows: 'Learning about other cultures can provide insights into different ways of living and perceiving the world, which can help us identify areas where our own values may be flawed or in need of improvement. However, the ultimate evaluation of whether these insights lead to a correction of errors in our values depends on the specific context and the type of values in question. For instance, the perceived values of a serial murderer might not be relevant to the evaluation of everyday moral and ethical values.'

Understanding Through Perception and Apperception

Both cultural relativism and objective values highlight the importance of perception and apperception in understanding culture and values. However, cultural relativism emphasizes the role of contextual understanding, while objective values focus on universal standards.

Apperception is the process of consciously comprehending and integrating new experiences with existing knowledge, while perception is the interpretation of sensorial data. From a cultural relativist's perspective, apperception helps create a more nuanced understanding of cultural elements within their context, whereas from an objective values viewpoint, perception aids in recognizing universal truths or principles.

In the end, whether learning about other cultures helps us correct errors in our own values depends on one's philosophical stance. Cultural relativists advocate for a more nuanced, context-based approach, while believers in objective values find value in universal standards but recognize the complexity of applying them across diverse cultural contexts.

Conclusion:

While cultural relativists and objective value proponents might disagree on the effectiveness of learning about other cultures to correct errors in our own values, both perspectives offer valuable insights. Understanding different cultures can help us identify and potentially correct flaws in our own values, regardless of whether we approach this from a relativistic or objective standpoint. Both perspectives emphasize the importance of empathy, openness, and a willingness to question and change our beliefs based on new information and experiences.