A Common Human Ground: Universality and Particularity in a Multicultural WorldUniversity of Missouri Press, 07.11.2003 - 168 Seiten A great challenge of the twenty-first century is the danger of conflict between persons, peoples, and cultures, among and within societies. In A Common Human Ground, Claes Ryn explores the nature of this problem and sets forth a theory about what is necessary for peaceful relations to be possible. Many in the Western world trust in “democracy,” “capitalism,” “liberal tolerance,” “scientific progress,” or “general enlightenment” to handle this problem. Although each of these, properly defined, may contribute toward alleviating disputes, Ryn argues that the problem is much more complex and demanding than is usually recognized. He reasons that, most fundamentally, good relations among individuals and nations have moral and cultural preconditions. What can predispose them to mutual respect and peace? One Western philosophical tradition, for which Plato set the pattern, maintains that the only way to genuine unity is for historical diversity to yield to universality. The implication of this view for a multicultural world would be a peace that requires that cultural distinctiveness be effaced as far as possible and replaced with a universal culture. A very different Western philosophical tradition denies the existence of universality altogether. It is represented today by postmodernist multiculturalism—a view that leaves unanswered the question as to how conflict between diverse groups might be averted. Ryn questions both of these traditions, arguing for the potential union of universality and particularity. He contends that the two need not be enemies, but in fact need each other. Cultivating individual and national particularities is potentially compatible with strengthening and enriching our common humanity. This volume embraces the notion of universality, while at the same time historicizing it. Using wide-ranging examples, Ryn presents a firmly sustained and systematic argument centering on this central issue. His approach is interdisciplinary, discussing not only political ideas, but also fiction, drama, and other arts. Scholarly and philosophical, but not specialized, this book will appeal to general readers as well as intellectuals. |
Im Buch
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Seite 13
... beliefs long influential in the East. A central feature of the traditional Western understanding of the human condition is the men- tioned belief that human nature is in constant tension between desires that will enhance and complete ...
... beliefs long influential in the East. A central feature of the traditional Western understanding of the human condition is the men- tioned belief that human nature is in constant tension between desires that will enhance and complete ...
Seite 18
... belief in human goodness and in the ability of science to create a better world. One has to wonder if these man-made disasters were not in large part due to the slipping of traditional moral restraints. Postmodernism has produced a ...
... belief in human goodness and in the ability of science to create a better world. One has to wonder if these man-made disasters were not in large part due to the slipping of traditional moral restraints. Postmodernism has produced a ...
Seite 24
... beliefs long admired by his own culture, because he senses that, at their best, they embody the spirit of an intrinsically good and rewarding life. Yet a person wishing to be humane must guard against one-sidedness, provincialism ...
... beliefs long admired by his own culture, because he senses that, at their best, they embody the spirit of an intrinsically good and rewarding life. Yet a person wishing to be humane must guard against one-sidedness, provincialism ...
Seite 30
... beliefs are forms of superstition and should be abandoned together with related social patterns. Westerners and non-Westerners alike should free themselves of a premodern heritage that stands in the way of progress. One does not have to ...
... beliefs are forms of superstition and should be abandoned together with related social patterns. Westerners and non-Westerners alike should free themselves of a premodern heritage that stands in the way of progress. One does not have to ...
Seite 31
... belief in man's natural goodness. They assume that desirable human traits do not have to be deliberately fostered but will develop naturally provided that human society is properly constructed so that human beings can live out their ...
... belief in man's natural goodness. They assume that desirable human traits do not have to be deliberately fostered but will develop naturally provided that human society is properly constructed so that human beings can live out their ...
Inhalt
5 | |
11 | |
20 | |
26 | |
Chapter Five | 36 |
Chapter | 46 |
Chapter Seven | 60 |
Chapter Nine | 99 |
Chapter | 118 |
Appendix | 135 |
Andere Ausgaben - Alle anzeigen
A Common Human Ground: Universality and Particularity in a Multicultural World Claes G. Ryn Eingeschränkte Leseprobe - 2003 |
A Common Human Ground: Universality and Particularity in a Multicultural World Claes G. Ryn Keine Leseprobe verfügbar - 2019 |
A Common Human Ground: Universality and Particularity in a Multicultural World Claes G. Ryn Keine Leseprobe verfügbar - 2003 |
Häufige Begriffe und Wortgruppen
abstract universalism achievements actual aesthetical Allan Bloom antihistoricist artistic assume awareness beauty become Beijing University Benedetto Croce century Chinese Christianity circumstances civilization Claes G common human ground concrete consciousness cosmopolitan creativity Croce cultivate deeply democracy develop discussion distinctive doctrine Edmund Burke effort elites Enlightenment epistemology ethical example experiential genuine harmony heritage higher potential historical particularity human existence human experience human nature ideas identity Imagination and Reason individuals insight intellectual intuition Irving Babbitt Jacobins kind lectures Leo Strauss life’s higher living man’s manifest mankind meaning modern moral and cultural multiculturalism National Humanities Institute neo-Jacobins one’s past peace philosophical Plato political possible postmodernism postmodernist reality realized recognize relations respect Richard Rorty Rousseau sense social standard Strauss superficial synthesis thinkers thinking thought tion today’s tradition transcendent truly truth understanding uniqueness universal values universality and particularity value-centered historicism versatile society view of human Western world