Seeking Common Ground in Differences: Self-Improvement of Humanity

Author: (USA) Chris Ryan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-08-01
Features: In the unstoppable tide of economic globalization, can the cultural diversity created by humanity over thousands of years be preserved in the long term, and how can it be preserved and developed? Some believe that the Western-constructed liberal democracy is a universal value, with its universality and advancement sufficient to become a common model for various cultures in the world. Others doubt: Then what about our own national culture? Will it gradually fade and eventually disappear, becoming at most a tourist commodity and advertisement, integrated into this common model? Emphasizing universality might lead to cultural hegemony, while emphasizing uniqueness might prevent communication, ultimately leading to disintegration. These are the issues we are now concerned about. This book represents the author's long-held desire since youth: to repropose certain specific Western traditions while, to the best of their ability, rethinking and supplementing them in the face of the shrinking world. Regarding the issue of global integration and diversity, the method used in this book is different from the current mainstream methods in the Western world. In my view, to maintain good relationships between different cultures, nations, and individuals, it is necessary to resist moral and cultural relativism and nihilism.