In cultural relativism, whose standards are used for assessment?

Cultural relativism is a concept in social sciences that emphasizes understanding a culture on its own terms rather than judging it according to the standards of another culture. When assessing beliefs, practices, and values, cultural relativism advocates for using the standards of the culture being evaluated. This approach encourages sensitivity to cultural differences and recognizes that each culture has its own unique set of beliefs and practices that are shaped by its history, environment, and social context.

By applying the standards of the culture being assessed, cultural relativism fosters a deeper appreciation for the complexity of human societies and discourages ethnocentric viewpoints, where one culture is deemed superior to another. This understanding is vital in fields such as anthropology, sociology, and international relations, where cross-cultural interactions are common.

In contrast, the other options refer to external standards that could impose an outsider's perspective on a culture, which is contrary to the principles of cultural relativism. The notion of universal human rights, the observer's cultural standards, or global economic standards does not align with the goal of experiencing and understanding another culture from its own viewpoint. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the essence of cultural relativism—promoting an evaluation grounded in the context of the culture being studied.