Morality

Different societies have different moral codes or standards.  These different moral codes or standards are what creates different cultures amongst mankind.  Yes, we are all the same species, we may have the same general anatomy and physiology but the human body and the human mind adapts in different ways depending on different locations, this concept is called adaptation.  Adaptation is what allows living species like you and me to live.  With different adaptations comes different ways of living life; different rules, different standards for different methods of pursuing something we call life. 

         In the article The Challenge of Cultural Relativism by James Rachels, Rachels discusses how there is not just one universal code of ethics, and that there is “no objective standard that can be used to judge one societal better than the other”.  One can’t discuss what is morally right or wrong between differences in cultures because in different cultures people value different things because of different surroundings and opinions.  Rachels gives a perfect example depicting this through the use of Eskimos and Americans.  Eskimos see nothing wrong with infanticide, whereas Americans believe infanticide is immoral.  To add on my own opinion with Rachels findings, it isn’t that the Eskimos don’t value their children, it is just that their surroundings don’t necessarily give them the option of keeping infants at certain times.  Eskimos are nomadic, they don’t farm like the American people, therefore their houses are never permanent and they are on the constant search for food.  This isn’t always a stable environment in which you can afford to carry around 10 infants.  In the Eskimo society, males are more dominant then females because in their culture males are relied on for survival as the food bearers.  It isn’t that females aren’t valued but if you had to pick between a girl or a boy infant to carry around most likely you would pick the one in which one could be of more use.  In the American society this can come off as appalling, I know in fact I was shocked, but that is their way of survival.  When you think about it that is what mankind comes down to; that is what cultures come down to survival of the fittest.

         This article definitely relates to the novel Things Fall Apart, when the Christian missionaries arrive in Africa and try to convert the Africans to Christian ways because they believe the African culture is “immoral”.  For example in the novel the African tribe had a more polygamist view of life where husbands bear multiple wives, and status was based upon strength, and wealth in food products.  The Christians had very different moral standards.  But just because their moral standards were different from the Africans didn’t mean that anyone’s cultural ways were wrong.  This can be seen throughout today’s society, and causes miscommunication between a numerous of countries.  The United States is infamously known as the “melting pot of nations” but in all honesty I no longer believe it to be.  Over countless decades, America has had the opportunity to be exposed to different cultures and make use of the differences in cultures.  We have had illegal immigration issues, with Mexico in particular, and we continue to do nothing about the differences in culture.  While we are trying to “Americanize” those who migrate over to America we aren’t learning anything new, we are just being stubborn.  Our country has been introduced to numerous of people that speak different languages, yet most Americans, including myself, can only speak English.  We just expect people to adapt to our standards because we feel it is the American way or no way.  Our location is perfect to be acquainted with being able to speak Spanish with Mexico below us, and French with Canada above us, but within many of our schools these languages aren’t being introduced until a High School level.  The ignorance of different languages is very evident.  There is not only an ignorance of language in the United States, but also an ignorance of other cultures, especially Muslim cultures.

         As an American, I believe that we have isolated ourselves too much from other cultures.  How can we fulfill our “melting pot” title when we still discriminate against different belief ways?  Yes, we are a democracy, a democracy in which every person has equal rights.  Yes, I believe that everyone should be entitled to equal rights, but the question is should they be forced onto other cultures?  As Americans, is it our right to push democracy on North Korea? Iraq? I believe that there is nothing wrong with introducing a culture’s way of life to another’s as a suggestion to make living conditions more doable, but I don’t believe it is right to force a “moral code” on another culture.  If we stop trying to “Americanize” the world, then maybe there won’t be as much violence and discrimination with not only other cultures, but within our own.