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No. I mean, our beliefs are influenced by our culture, and thus there are many different beliefs around the world. But most things have a right and a wrong. Not all, of course. There is no 'right' way to eat rice (though sticky rice is definetly the best!)

@RayKyler: What about cultural practices such as female genital mutilation, is it right to say that a people should not be doing that, or should their beliefs and cultural practices be respected. The whole, well is our own culture so perfect that we should dictate what is right and wrong to other cultures?

@xCoinx: I would say it is wrong and should be stopped. Just like cannabalism or human sacrifice or abortion. Not because our culture is better and we should dictate to others, but because there is a moral code written into the universe which all should follow

@RayKyler: Ah but could it not be argued that today the way we are able to prolong people's lives beyond what up until now has always been the norm is disobeying this universal code of the way things should be.

@xCoinx: No, I don't think so. That is merely an advance in science; prolonging what nature has already given. I think that line is more when we begin to try and create, rather than fix. Most of our attempts and making it better than it originally was have failed though

@RayKyler: But looking at it as simply an advance in science presupposes that we have a set of preconceptions and beliefs. To us, saving the life of a child born so physically or mentally defective, that without serious medical intervention would surely not survive infancy is right and proper but to someone who thought about the world differently this would be utterly improper, they would say yes this is tragic but all things considered is it best to allow this soul to leave this realm of tears. This person's entire life would be limited by his/her handicap and further would be a drain on the rest of society. Then again Stephen Hawking has despite his physical disability pushed physics arguably further than anyone since Einstein

@xCoinx: There are certainly dilemmas which I do not claim to know the answers to. There is an answer, I just don't know it. However, my personal beliefs would say we should always save lives if we possibly can. You never know what ways they will change society

@RayKyler: Ok but returning to cultural relativism if female genital mutilation is wrong then so must male circumcision be, by the same line of reasoning no?

Now, I do not know exactly what female mutilation entails, but male circumcision does not affect the usefulness of the organ. I know some people are for it for certain reasons, but I don't see why someone would

@RayKyler: Female genital mutilation entails the removal of the females clitoris. It does not affect the usefulness of the organ, the females are still able to become impregnated and bear children. It is a practice that takes place (that is to say is most associated with the peoples of) Somalia

@xCoinx: it seems like it is in the same boat as male circumcision. I know the Jews do it as an act of faith, setting themselves apart as the chosen people. Other than that, I don't see why it would be done

@RayKyler: Nor do I to be honest, and I would agree that it is in the same boat as circumcision. Though that said male circumcision has been known to occur in other cultures as well. In fact, the Ethiopian form of Christianity (interestingly not that far from Somalia, though I don't know if I would go so far say that's anything more than an accident of geography) do practice male circumcision.

One of those things I don't understand 🤔