Cultures and ethnic identities can always be transformed, and they should be transformed to be the best versions of themselves, whenever this is possible without destabilizing people’s lives too much. Even if humans do need cultures, shared imaginaries, narratives, histories, customs, traditions and other vital aspects of Gemeinschaft—this does not mean that all current cultural forms and expressions are necessarily good and conducive to sustainable human flourishing, or that all combinations of cultures are mutually enriching under all circumstances.
It is an empirical matter of when cultures spur development and exchange with each other, or when they create pathological dissonances that breed conflict, confusion, insecurity and resentment. The answer, naturally, differs from case to case. And it is a matter of cultural discourse and exchange to determine which values should—in the long run—trump which other values. Is freedom better than chastity? Under the circumstances of modern life, yes! Are human rights better than respecting the logic of caste systems? Yes. Is equality better than slavery? Yes. Is peace-loving better than war? Yes. Is gender equality better than patriarchy? Yes. Are animal rights (or some other version of caring for all sentient beings) better than anthropocentrism? Yes. This does not mean that these values should be defended at all costs, that they should be forced upon all people under all circumstances. It is simply not worth the rapid breakdown of someone else’s world, or an ethnic cleansing, or an inquisition, or a Thought Police. But given the choice, given the chance, we can and should evolve cultures.
Cultures have a right to exist, but it is not an absolute right. And in the last instance, all cultures will change and evolve either way, so we might as well have some ideas regarding in which direction they should develop.
 |
| medium.com |
A closer look at the difference between the two
Tagged with :