anthropological relativism

Cultural relativism is the idea that beliefs, customs, and practices of a culture should be understood based on that culture's own context, rather than judged by external standards. In anthropology, it encourages us to view different societies' ways of life as valid and meaningful within their own frameworks. This approach helps us avoid ethnocentrism—the tendency to see one's own culture as the default or superior—and promotes understanding and respect for cultural diversity. Essentially, it reminds us that what might seem unusual or wrong from one perspective can make perfect sense within another culture's unique worldview.