Using the Internet  find examples of a common practice (use the example: the French greet others with kisses on the cheeks), belief, and/or value that is part of at least one culture but that are oftentimes considered impractical, irrational, and/or incorrect by at least one other culture. Then, trace your examples to the culture's world view, religion, history, and/or family structure.

 

For example, Westerners may feel that the practice of cow veneration in India is impractical, irrational, and/or incorrect given that India has a rapidly growing population and an insecure food supply. The Indian notion of cow veneration can be traced to Hinduism. Hindus believe in many deities and find divinity in people, nature, and places, as well as animals. On the other hand, Indians may feel that the practice of raising large herds of domestic cattle is impractical, irrational, and/or incorrect given that such animals require vast tracts of land that could be used for more important purposes than grazing.

Then, consider the following prompts for your discussion write-up:

• From which deep structures do most of a culture's practices, beliefs, and/or values come
• Do these deep structures reflect the ones we read about in the textbook? Which deep structures were we not able to find examples for? Which deep structures might we need to add to the textbook?
• What reasons are commonly used to judge another culture's practices, beliefs, and/or values? Are these reasons based on a culture's deep structures? Which ones?