Something being a social construct doesn’t make it inherently incorrect, subjective, or pointless. What it does mean is it is not a law of the universe, it is open to critique, reform, and dismantling. If a culture has a food taboo rooted in ethical beliefs or medical beliefs for example I feel like the words right and wrong are applicable.
However, consider that false accusations of the form “That tribe over there eat human flesh” are much more common than tribes that actually eat human flesh.
There are some very common rules. Don’t eat your neighbor; don’t have sex with your mom; don’t shit in the well; the tannery goes downwind of town …
And the next step along this thought process is: “All taboos and cultural norms around food are a social construct and there is no right or wrong.”
Something being a social construct doesn’t make it inherently incorrect, subjective, or pointless. What it does mean is it is not a law of the universe, it is open to critique, reform, and dismantling. If a culture has a food taboo rooted in ethical beliefs or medical beliefs for example I feel like the words right and wrong are applicable.
However, consider that false accusations of the form “That tribe over there eat human flesh” are much more common than tribes that actually eat human flesh.
There are some very common rules. Don’t eat your neighbor; don’t have sex with your mom; don’t shit in the well; the tannery goes downwind of town …
I think it boils down to “and ye harm none, do what ye will.”
Well that’s my saturday night busted…