There have been societies which went in for human sacrifices, usually of the best & brightest young boys & girls. The general idea was that only the best were worthy enough for the gods. I think the Aztec did this, but am not sure. While it might have been accepted by almost everybody in the culture, it seems inherently evil to me. Could it be considered not evil because it was the norm for the culture? Personally, I would say the culture itself was evil for such a practice.
In modern times, there are some African cultures which practice what they call female circumcision. From descriptions of what is done, it sounds like sadistic mutilation based on the view that women are property rather than people. It is my understanding that it results in women who get little or no pleasure from sex. Aside from my viewing it as evil, I wonder if it might also create a society with a high degree of neurosis.
The Palestinians seem to be deliberately teaching hatred of the Jews to their children and extolling the virtues of dying a martyr. Can this be considered rational behavior because it is the norm of the culture?
Forgetting about current attitudes in the USA, racist attitudes were very prevalent from the Civil War to the middle of the 20th century. It is conceivable that 85-90% of the whites (a 70-80% majority) could have been convinced to vote for legislating that all blacks be deported, and that those resisting be executed. A majority like that could amend the constitution to say most anything. If an overwhelming majority favored such legislation, would that make it ethical to do so?
I personally feel that being a cultural norm does not make certain activities valid behavior.
In modern times, there are some African cultures which practice what they call female circumcision. From descriptions of what is done, it sounds like sadistic mutilation based on the view that women are property rather than people. It is my understanding that it results in women who get little or no pleasure from sex. Aside from my viewing it as evil, I wonder if it might also create a society with a high degree of neurosis.
The Palestinians seem to be deliberately teaching hatred of the Jews to their children and extolling the virtues of dying a martyr. Can this be considered rational behavior because it is the norm of the culture?
Forgetting about current attitudes in the USA, racist attitudes were very prevalent from the Civil War to the middle of the 20th century. It is conceivable that 85-90% of the whites (a 70-80% majority) could have been convinced to vote for legislating that all blacks be deported, and that those resisting be executed. A majority like that could amend the constitution to say most anything. If an overwhelming majority favored such legislation, would that make it ethical to do so?
I personally feel that being a cultural norm does not make certain activities valid behavior.