SOC203H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Alexis De Tocqueville, Persian Letters, Cultural Relativism
Document Summary
Makes the case that there"s no one size fits all for constitution, some of them are better fitted for different types of societies. Brings up the issue of cultural relativism vs ethnocentrism (to relentlessly disparage the ways of other cultures) Definition: to adopt an either ethically pluralistic or neutral viewpoint, not relentlessly trying to hoist up one"s society while bringing someone else"s down. This course encourages cultural relativism, moral authority are sometimes a prop for those who have authority in society and allows them to maintain their own power, makes one skeptical of authority, esp with the state. Exam: 35 true false q, 15 mc q same format as previous test, non cumulative. Are there laws of social relations with universal authority: voyage of prince usbek and rica, his servant, from persia to paris. Persian letters: adopt a deliberately cultural relativist viewpoint, consists of.
