Moral universalism and cultural difference
Publication Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
6-2006
Abstract
This article examines the relationship between moral universalism and cultural difference. It analyses the problem of how to measure the claims of particular cultures against the demands of universal morality and discusses possible ways to resolve the tension between cultural minorities and the intrusion of the morality of Western liberalism. One prominent solution to this problem attempts to resolve it by identifying special rights to be accorded to cultural groups to enable them to hold on to their particular customs and traditions. The best-known and most influential theory here is that developed by Will Kymlicka, who put the case for the protection of cultural minorities in terms that were consistent with the universalist commitments of a liberal political outlook.
Keywords
Moral universalism, Cultural difference, Universal morality, Cultural minorities, Western liberalism, Will Kymlicka
Discipline
Critical and Cultural Studies | Political Theory
Research Areas
Political Science
Publication
Oxford handbook of political theory
Editor
DRYZEK, John S.; HONIG, Bonnie; PHILLIPS, Anne
ISBN
9780191577406
Identifier
10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199548439.003.0032
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Citation
KUKATHAS, Chandran. (2006). Moral universalism and cultural difference. In Oxford handbook of political theory (pp. ). : Oxford University Press.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2990
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199548439.003.0032