Are some cultures inherently better than others?

[Liberty4eva]

Are some cultures inherently superior to others? As an example, some people think Western culture with its Western values is inherently better than Islamic cultures with Islamic values.

Or are all cultures essentially equal in the sense that none is inherently superior to others?

[MTVN]

No, there are no better or worse cultures, they're just different

[Tom4784]

There's good and bad everywhere.

[Boothy]

No, they're just different. The view you stated about some people thinking the West is better than other cultures just goes to show the ignorance of the West.

Everywhere has it's fair share of good and bad.

[CharlieO]

No where is better than anywhere else its just perceived that was as many eastern cultures are choosing to adopt a western way of life. But the thing is its not a western way of life its the future and it just so happens that the west adopted it first.

[Shaun]

It's all very well being diplomatic and replying "nooo lol we're all equal x" but to live in a culture where you'd be executed or at the very least arrested for being gay, a woman out in public unaccompanied, or wearing something, is not an 'equally' lovely culture.

[letmein]

OF COURSE Western culture is better than Islamic culture. Are you kidding?!

[BB_Eye]

I would rather live in this culture than under Shariah Law or Maoist communists breathing down my neck for obvious reasons. Just as I would never take for granted the abundance of wealth this country compared to third world failed states where life is a daily struggle for subsistence wages.

Is our culture inherently better? I don't think so. We live in an amoral plutocracy that thinks of nothing but the interests of career politicians, bankers and CEO's. Murdoch's media empire may aswell be holding Westminster at gunpoint with the amount of political clout they have. Personally, I think we could give even China a run for its money in the corruption stakes. The sad part is, the very people they're screwing over vote for them again and again and again.

This sad apathy is reflected in the abundance of disgustingly selfish people in this country. A staggering level of people between the ages of 18 and 40 suffer from Antisocial Personality Disorder and there is no point in denying it. I'm only grateful that the problem here isn't half as bad as it is in zero-empathy USA. Compare us to places like India, Japan and Singapore where the sort of thuggery and bad manners that passes for normal behaviour in Britain is overwhelmingly frowned upon and which are far safer places to live as a result.

[MTVN]

It's all very well being diplomatic and replying "nooo lol we're all equal x" but to live in a culture where you'd be executed or at the very least arrested for being gay, a woman out in public unaccompanied, or wearing something, is not an 'equally' lovely culture.

Well morality is all relative, they'd consider Western culture incredibly morally bankrupt and disrespectful, and a lot in the West reciprocate similar sentiments with regards to Islamic countries. I dont see the merit in trying to make some vague claim of superiority over something completely subjective

[Shaun]

Not killing homosexuals is a "vague claim" of superiority? Okay then.

[MTVN]

Not killing homosexuals is a "vague claim" of superiority? Okay then.

That's not really my point, and Islamic culture is hardly synonymous with executing gays anyway. I'm just saying that it's pointless to try and claim that our culture is better than theirs when it's a matter of subjectivity. To think that the way our present culture does thing is the right way, or the better way, is quite a narrow minded viewpoint considering the huge cultural diversity in the world and throughout history.

Sure, being brought up in the UK it means you're likely to follow and believe in Western culture but that doesnt make it superior to someone brought up in Saudi and believing in Islam. Trying to see the world only through your own culture is what led to Europeans trying to force Christianity and other Western values on them inferior darkies in Africa during the Colonial days, because it was incomprohensible to Britons that those uncivilised peoples could ever be equal to themselves. We are now brought up to appreciate racial equality, gender equality, whatever, not the case 100 years ago and not the case in some parts of the world today. Our morals are dictated to us by how we're brought up and what we are encouraged to believe.

Anyway, that might not have made sense, I was just loosely stringing together my thoughts really :p

[Niamh.]

That's not really my point, and Islamic culture is hardly synonymous with executing gays anyway. I'm just saying that it's pointless to try and claim that our culture is better than theirs when it's a matter of subjectivity. To think that the way our present culture does thing is the right way, or the better way, is quite a narrow minded viewpoint considering the huge cultural diversity in the world and throughout history.

Sure, being brought up in the UK it means you're likely to follow and believe in Western culture but that doesnt make it superior to someone brought up in Saudi and believing in Islam. Trying to see the world only through your own culture is what led to Europeans trying to force Christianity and other Western values on them inferior darkies in Africa during the Colonial days, because it was incomprohensible to Britons that those uncivilised peoples could ever be equal to themselves. We are now brought up to appreciate racial equality, gender equality, whatever, not the case 100 years ago and not the case in some parts of the world today. Our morals are dictated to us by how we're brought up and what we are encouraged to believe.

Anyway, that might not have made sense, I was just loosely stringing together my thoughts really :p

Great post Matt, obviously having been brought up in the Western world I believe we're right and more "ahead" of some cultures but they probably believe that they are, so who is right? probably neither.

[bananarama]

It's all very well being diplomatic and replying "nooo lol we're all equal x" but to live in a culture where you'd be executed or at the very least arrested for being gay, a woman out in public unaccompanied, or wearing something, is not an 'equally' lovely culture.


I agree with your assessment. However I am not going to be diplomatic like you have been and describe replies before yours as diplomatic. I would describe them as deluded goody goody two shoes gibberish......

Cultures that stone women to death for a social crime cannot under any circumstances be described as a good culture....seems some early replies completely choose to ignor such wrong doings and pretend all the world should be tolorent to all things even if some things are down right demonic and evil.......

[Glenn.]

I think its a healthy balance

[InOne]

I am very glad I live in the West. I can't see too much good in Sharia or cultures like that.

[Rob]

I am very glad I live in the West. I can't see too much good in Sharia or cultures like that.

this.

[Vicky.]

Some cultures are more 'advanced' than others IMO.

[Rob]

Well put Vicky

[karezza]

The cultures of Atlantis & Lemuria were very great.

[joeysteele]

That's not really my point, and Islamic culture is hardly synonymous with executing gays anyway. I'm just saying that it's pointless to try and claim that our culture is better than theirs when it's a matter of subjectivity. To think that the way our present culture does thing is the right way, or the better way, is quite a narrow minded viewpoint considering the huge cultural diversity in the world and throughout history.

Sure, being brought up in the UK it means you're likely to follow and believe in Western culture but that doesnt make it superior to someone brought up in Saudi and believing in Islam. Trying to see the world only through your own culture is what led to Europeans trying to force Christianity and other Western values on them inferior darkies in Africa during the Colonial days, because it was incomprohensible to Britons that those uncivilised peoples could ever be equal to themselves. We are now brought up to appreciate racial equality, gender equality, whatever, not the case 100 years ago and not the case in some parts of the world today. Our morals are dictated to us by how we're brought up and what we are encouraged to believe.

Anyway, that might not have made sense, I was just loosely stringing together my thoughts really :p

Well said MTVN, excellent post.

[patsylimerick]

Oddly enough, I'd rather be described as 'morally bankrupt' than have to resign myself to the fact that any female children I may have would be genitally mutilated; or would risk being stoned to death on the whim of belligerent, stupid males - a stoning that would be tolerated by my 'culture'. There are positives and negatives in every society and culture but we abdicate unverisal responsibility for addressing a great many truly evil traditions under the guise of 'respect'.

[Stu]

Yes, some cultures are inherently better than others.

Western culture gets a slagging off but christ. A bit of perspective, folks. Besides I love my fast food, constant intoxication, and material posessions. I have no time for people who slag all that off because it's inherently better for uh ... some reason ... to go and live in the trees, get down on your knees, and worship a god [read : your own ego].

I love religious groups in the west who say we are going morally bankrupt because their pews are emptying out by the week or because people are turning to science. They really have so little to remain relevant with that they have to come out and say 'hey guys these facts and everything are great but you know, y'all are missing a bit of god'.

[Lee.]

Yes..

Scots >>>> everybody else.

:tongue:

[Niall]

Yes..

Scots >>>> everybody else.

:tongue:

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkg9k3anM51qghk76.gif

*Has been desperate to use that gif*