The Anthropologist Ruth Benedict Is Quoted as Saying: "The Purpose

question 12

Essay

The anthropologist Ruth Benedict is quoted as saying: "the purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences." How are the anthropologists in this section working toward this goal? Provide at least three examples, and discuss any counter-points.

---

Definitions:

Cultural Relativists

Individuals or scholars who believe that the values and practices of a culture should be understood based on that culture's own context rather than judged against the criteria of another.

Ethical Subjectivists

Individuals who believe that moral judgments are based on personal feelings and opinions rather than objective facts.

Morality

A code of conduct that, given specified conditions, would be put forward by all rational persons.

Virtue Ethicist

A philosopher or ethicist who emphasizes virtues, or moral character, as the basis for ethical behavior.