Margaret Mead

Margaret Mead was a prominent cultural anthropologist who studied the diverse ways human societies organize themselves. She emphasized descriptive ethics, which examines the moral beliefs and practices of various cultures without passing judgment. Mead advocated for cultural relativism, suggesting that one should understand a culture's values within its specific context rather than applying external standards. Her work highlighted how culture shapes personal identity and behavior, helping to foster greater understanding and appreciation of human diversity, ultimately arguing against ethnocentrism—the belief that one's own culture is superior to others.