Many people today ask themselves if all cultures are equal, or if some cultures are superior to others; the question is as old as humanity, and the answer is crucially important. Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) asked himself this same question in the sixteenth century, and examined in great detail the arguments from both sides. His careful philosophical analysis is still worth reading nowadays. In the sixteenth century, intellectuals regarded Europe as the leading culture. They took for granted that all things European were vastly superior to other cultures. Neither America, Africa, or Asia could compete with Europe, they thought. Montaigne was the first essayist to contest this presumption. He realized that European architecture and military technology were far superior to those in other countries, but he argued that those do not necessarily render Europe superior in all areas. Human nature is the same everywhere, noted Montaigne. It makes no sense to praise a culture as “superior” without having assessed if individuals in that culture are actually happier than those in other cultures. For instance, argues Montaigne, we should not dismiss too quickly the lifestyle of Brazilian tribes. They might appear “barbaric” at first sight, but are they not happier because they live closer to nature? Do they not live more authentically and morally than the average European? Montaigne defended cultural relativism, that is, the idea that all cultures are equal. He refused to use the terms “civilized” and “barbaric,” arguing that they are purely subjective. People tend to regard their own lifestyle as civilized, and everything else as barbaric, he observed. I agree with Montaigne that prejudice and personal taste can play a role in how we judge another culture, but does it play the dominant role? I very much doubt it. French people consider their cuisine better than the English one, but does this aspect render French culture “superior”? Or do paintings by Rafael, Leonardo and Michelangelo render Italian culture superior to every other culture? I love French cuisine and Italian art, but my personal taste does not constitute a solid argument for categorizing a culture as “superior” or “inferior.” Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/michel-de-montaigne-and-cultural-relativism/

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