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Write reply to following paragraph :(about 50 words,very short reply) Cultural relativism is definitely at play in the video shown above.

Write reply to following paragraph :(about 50 words,very short reply)

Cultural relativism is definitely at play in the video shown above. Franz Boas states in one of the first narrations presented in the video, “…we are only too liable to consider our civilization as the ultimate goal of human evolution. Thus, depriving ourselves of the benefits to be gained from the teachings of others.” Boas was critiquing the natural instinct that most individuals view their own culture as superior to others. By practicing cultural relativism, anthropologists and viewers alike can obtain enrichment and valuable knowledge from different types of culture a part from their own. By having an unbiased judgement on other’s cultures the “outsider” can learn and establish a natural rapport with the specified group and learn more invaluable characteristics rather than subjective opinions. In short terms, cultural relativism enables the researcher an open mind frame to absorb new concepts of culture and human development.

The inspiration to practice this concept definitely stems from Boas’ personal life where he faced anti-Semitic discrimination. As discussed in the short video, Boas faced persecution during his time in Germany and ultimately felt the negative effects of being on the receiving end of judgement on one’s culture (the antithesis to cultural relativism). Faced with an unfair message of prejudice this definitely inspired Boas to instill an open mind against difference. Furthermore, in his research among the Eskimo “savages” Boas came to learn that man should not be valued in being a cultured individual but rather the more compassionate virtue of “a person’s worth should be judged by the warmth of his heart.”  Boas stresses the importance of disregarding cultural and even political stances and focusing on the respect one gives by having compassion and regard for other different individuals.

Again, the basis of Boas’ methods all correlate back to cultural relativism; this is shown by his four-field approach to anthropology. Before setting out to discover other worldly differences, Boas contracted the four-field approach to provide background for important areas that a deemed “outsider” may not be privy to. Keeping the code of cultural relativism in mind, Boas made sure to study and prepare what to expect in certain cultures to further adorn the acceptance of cultural differences. Perhaps, in many ways Boas’ background of being ostracized instilled the golden rule of “treat others the way you wish to be treated”. This suggests that he conducted fieldwork to not make any of the subjects feel inferior but rather respected. By coming into his field studies with written knowledge, Boas was well equipped with what to expect and how to provide respect for his subjects.

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