Replies

Well, maybe if you were to believe the personal interpretations of each respondent. In the end, though, the answers are not ‘fact’ but interpretations and feelings.

I guess what bothers me most about the whole graph being subjective is the term “Secular-Rational” values vs. “Traditional” values as if the former were the preferable because it is rational.

To me, it seems more humanistic even though some of the questions were related to belief in God, etc.

If they are attempting to paint a picture of the cultural differences between countries they have to find some way to categorize beliefs and values. While I admit that mind reading and truth serum would probably render more accurate results, that may be difficult to do. Ultimately, surveys of "interpretations and feelings" are going to be the best bet. You may not like the Rational/Secular vs Traditional label but I imagine that is probably an area which is widely different between different cultures and a good thing to measure. I think you are reading too much into it to assume one is preferable over the other.

They could simply say, "Measuring and categorizing culture it too difficult. We give up." I for one am glad they attempted it. I find it very interesting and being that we live in a global society where national political boundaries are having less meaning I think understanding cultural boundaries is going to be very important going forward.

I am accused by my liberal friends and relatives of being a racist and I say I am not. I am a proud "culturalist". I don't believe that any race is superior to any others but I do believe that certain cultures are superior to others.