Cultural relativism—the principle that beliefs and practices should be understood within their cultural context rather than judged by external standards—developed partly as a corrective to ethnocentric colonial attitudes. Critics argue that taken to extremes, relativism prevents criticism of practices like gender discrimination or human rights violations. Most anthropologists now navigate between respecting cultural difference and maintaining universal ethical commitments.
The passage suggests that
cultural relativism emerged to justify colonial attitudes
all cultural practices are beyond ethical evaluation
methodological principles developed for one purpose may have unintended consequences in other applications
contemporary anthropologists have abandoned relativism entirely
Correct Answer: C
Choice C is the best answer. Relativism corrected ethnocentrism but can prevent necessary criticism.
- Context clues: Relativism was "corrective to colonial attitudes"; but "taken to extremes" prevents justified criticism.
- Meaning: The principle's original purpose creates problems in other contexts.
- Verify: Anthropologists now "navigate between" competing demands, showing tension.
💡 Strategy: When a principle created for one purpose causes problems in another, infer unintended consequences.
Choice A is incorrect because relativism developed as corrective TO colonial attitudes. Choice B is incorrect because critics argue some practices warrant criticism. Choice D is incorrect because they "navigate between" relativism and universalism—not abandonment.