Levi-Strauss Structuralism vs. Ethnocentric Human Rights Embracing Cultural Relativism: Lessons from Lévi-Strauss Between the 1960s and 1980s, Claude Lévi-Strauss and his philosophy of anthropological structuralism profoundly influenced those of us studying political and social sciences. Lévi-Strauss became a revered figure among progressive leftists for criticizing Western ethnocentrism and colonialism. In our youthful idealism, many, including myself, adopted his theories with a radical fervor. Lévi-Strauss’s legacy endures in contemporary discussions about identity, particularly regarding individuals with disabilities. The term “handicapped” has evolved mainly into “differently abled,” reflecting a shift toward cultural relativism. He argued that societies express their cultures uniquely while […]