"Of Cannibals", by Michel de Montaigne: A pioneer in cultural relativism
Date
2021Abstract
In this paper an analysis is made of one of the essays, "Of Cannibals”, written by Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) in the Renaissance period. The document´s purpose is to describe, through reflective analysis, the contributions that this author gives to the so-called cultural relativism from the historical context of the 16th century. Given the time, the essay is considered "avant-garde" given the approach and reflection made by the author approaching what later in anthropology would be known as cultural relativism at a time when European culture was considered better than the rest of cultures in the world. By comparing the practices that preColumbians do, related to cannibalism, with those that Europeans do, the author realizes that "we" should think if our practices are really better than those of "others" -the Amerindians -. However, to this day, Michel de Montaigne's ideas are still present in a world where Human Rights and cultural relativism are debated. Universalism vs. Relativism.