Respect for Cultural Diversity and Pluralism

Abstract

It is uncontroversial to call for respect for cultural diversity and recognition of pluralism in a globalized world. All cultures comprise members who adhere to their norms and practices to a greater or lesser extent, and individuals may have overlapping cultural identities. They may be members of an ethnic minority within a religious majority in a population. Alternatively, individuals may be members of an ethnic or a racial majority but a religious minority. The fundamental ethical principle, “respect for persons,” implies that such respect includes recognition of the beliefs people hold and the actions they perform in conformity with their membership in a culture.

The UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights makes reference to cultural diversity in Article 12, entitled “Respect for cultural diversity and pluralism.” Article 12 states: “The importance of cultural diversity and pluralism should be given due regard. However, such considerations are not to be invoked to infringe upon human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms, nor upon the principles set out in this Declaration, nor to limit their scope.” The caveat in this last sentence sets out the task for anyone seeking to comply with the UNESCO Declaration. It requires determining which cultural norms and practices related to human health and medicine in our diverse world do not deserve respect or adherence precisely because they violate human rights or the UNESCO principles. It is important to recognize that no culture is monolithic and that most are dynamic, often changing in response to a variety of circumstances. This is more true than ever before in a world interconnected instantaneously by electronic communications and the widespread use of social media.

Several paragraphs in this chapter are extracted from my book, Against Relativism: Cultural Diversity and the Search for Ethical Universals in Medicine. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.