Relativism: The Right to Religious Laws
In Saudi Arabia, women wear a certain style of dress around male non-family members for religious reasons. Advocates say they are a symbol of modesty and privacy. Because of this policy, police stopped fire fighters from entering a building where female students were not dressed appropriately, resulting in the deaths of 15 students. Read the following link to learn more.
“Saudi Police ‘Stopped’ Fire Rescue.” BBC News. 15 March 2002. (Links to an external site.)
The Question
Using what you know about cultural relativism, defend or criticize their decision. Be sure to illustrate a thorough knowledge of cultural relativism in your essay, as that will be a significant part of your grade.