eyeamflesch
24-10-2004, 21:34
As is usually the case in situations as complex as that which we have been discussing, there is good news-and bad news. The bad news is that the tecnological, political, and economic forces of globalization seem to be moving the entire world inexorably in the direction of an abstract amorality defined by the dynamics of international capitalism. The requirement that the bourgeoisie must be culturally informed is largely ignored by virtue of the marginalization of pragmatism and Confucianism within their respective cultures. An equally negative consequence is the marginalization of all value issues within the sphere of international politics and economics.
Nonetheless, not all the news is bad. The good news is that there are important movements emerging from withing individual societies, both Western and Asian, that would challenge those amoral dynamics by appealing to distinctly cultural forces that express the unique values of those societies. The even better news is that the cultural forces associated with Confucianism and pragmatism promise to revitalize interest in the distinctive characters of their respective traditions, and will thus militate against the growing movement toward sameness and uniformity hidden in the seemingly benign phrase, "One World".
But the best news of all is that, however distinct Confucianism and American pragmatism continue to be, there is sufficient productive overlap in their core beliefs, and sufficient commonality in their senses of responsibility to their respective cultures and to the world beyond, that a real alliance is possible in which each sensibility can reiforce the other in ways that lead the world along at least a slightly better path.
The reemergence of Asian Confucianism and American pragmatism in the contemporary world challenges all those who identify with either sensibility to take up together the duties of creative remonstrance, and thus to assist those in power in making decisions that benefit not just a relatively few fortunate individuals, but the interests of all of us in forming a stable, rewarding, and enriching community life.
Pg 161-162, The democracy of the dead: Dewey, Confucius, and the hope for democracy in CHina / David L. Hall and Roger T. Ames
Afto proorizetai katarxin gia to Kuolema kai tin ergasia tis alla to postarw edw giati mporei na goustaroun ki alloi maFta pou leei.
Tzast stei xebi.
Nonetheless, not all the news is bad. The good news is that there are important movements emerging from withing individual societies, both Western and Asian, that would challenge those amoral dynamics by appealing to distinctly cultural forces that express the unique values of those societies. The even better news is that the cultural forces associated with Confucianism and pragmatism promise to revitalize interest in the distinctive characters of their respective traditions, and will thus militate against the growing movement toward sameness and uniformity hidden in the seemingly benign phrase, "One World".
But the best news of all is that, however distinct Confucianism and American pragmatism continue to be, there is sufficient productive overlap in their core beliefs, and sufficient commonality in their senses of responsibility to their respective cultures and to the world beyond, that a real alliance is possible in which each sensibility can reiforce the other in ways that lead the world along at least a slightly better path.
The reemergence of Asian Confucianism and American pragmatism in the contemporary world challenges all those who identify with either sensibility to take up together the duties of creative remonstrance, and thus to assist those in power in making decisions that benefit not just a relatively few fortunate individuals, but the interests of all of us in forming a stable, rewarding, and enriching community life.
Pg 161-162, The democracy of the dead: Dewey, Confucius, and the hope for democracy in CHina / David L. Hall and Roger T. Ames
Afto proorizetai katarxin gia to Kuolema kai tin ergasia tis alla to postarw edw giati mporei na goustaroun ki alloi maFta pou leei.
Tzast stei xebi.