cultural relativism

[egb_hibs]

bugger - just had the 'taxi' shout from an irate missus, and just when it was getting interesting.

woman are the only true nihilists.
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[Brian]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs
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indeed; but the point is that evolutionarily (did i just make that up) i suspect it's necessary for such a complex organism as ourselves to maintain a constructed reality, else the advantage afforded by our complex brains self destructs.

you should read the russian book i mention on the other thread - i don't think you've thought this nihilism gig through; those who do end up not on the happy cloud, as it were.

Well indeed, if I stop to think about things for too long, I am completely overwhelmed by the shortness of life and the absolute end, death, fast approaching and I'm feckin terrified (in a strong, non-subservient way of course).

C'est la vie.

[egb_hibs]

Originally Posted by Brian
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Well indeed, if I stop to think about things for too long, I am completely overwhelmed by the shortness of life and the absolute end, death, fast approaching and I'm feckin terrified (in a strong, non-subservient way of course).

that's fear of death old chap. not the same as nihilism.

if it helps; when you look backwards, are you afraid of the time before your birth ?

[superbam]

I think there is a tendency among cultural relativists to allow a certain culture to be defined by an elite in a particular country, without any guarantee that that particular articulation of an area's culture is shared by the whole population. I have noticed this inparticularly with regards to the middle east - arguing for womens rights and such, or for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be observed in general is NOT western cultural imperialism.

Culture is not fixed, and is constantly in a state of flux, reviewed and revised with bits constantly being discarded and added. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights does not prevent traditional practises from being observed, but allows for them not to be observed if one wishes.

For example, in a society where women have traditionally not run for political office, a woman may decide to observe the tradition and not run, and would be subject to the pressures of public opinion either way, but crucially if her government observed such an international standard she could if she wanted to - thus what defines culture remains in the hands of ther population and is not defined as a fixed set of rules by a self-serving elite.

[Archie]

Originally Posted by egb_hibs
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i'm glad you see uncle karl's crazed visions for what they are.

Do you mean the economic analysis or the deterministic application?

[Colr]

None of my relatives are very cultured.