Question

section immediately following it. Do you think that the practice of genital cutting is i) (universally) morally permissible, ii) a barbaric practice that ought to be universally condemned, or iii) a matter whose moral status is merely relative to a culture? Would it be appropriate for us to say that those who engage in such practices within their culture are doing something wrong? Would it be appropriate for you to say that those who engage in such practices within your own culture are doing something wrong? If you think such practices are wrong, would it be appropriate for us to interfere and try to prevent them from happening again in the future? Explain your reasons and make sure that you interact with some of the main themes discussed in the paper.

Answer 1

Moral relativism suggests that moral practices and standpoints are true to the culture in which they are practiced thus an outsider cannot comment on it or suggest that it’s wrong. One of the most important things about culture is that it evolves continuously by adopting new practices and overcoming the practices that do not suit the time period in which they live. Thus, it’s obvious that only when people move out to experience and explore the world around them, they would be able to recognise the need for change. It’s also important that the changes that occur in a particular culture should come from within which would mean that the changes should be initiated by people in the same culture in order for them to internalize the new values and unlearn the old practices that are not relevant to the time period they live in. Someone from outside cannot brand them as wrong because others could do the same to the one who criticises others due to the differences in practice.

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