10/23 Loretta M. Kopelman, “Female Circumcision/Genital Mutilation and Ethical Relativism” (in Moser and Carson)

Theme: Problematic implications of cultural relativism

1. What are the reasons given to justify female circumcision/genital mutilation, and how does Kopelman respond to them? 

2. How does Kopelman use and further develop Rachels’ three criticisms of moral relativism, i.e., the critique of the cultural differences argument, highlighting the negative consequences of moral relativism, and arguing for cultural universalism?

3. How does Kopelman respond to the claim that eliminating female circumcision/genital mutilation risks irreparably harming those cultures that practice it?