The culture we are born into shapes the way we look at the world. Culture, this work claims, is man-made and tends, on the one hand, to secure the predominant social practises, its function is to stabilise the existing order; on the other hand, it is an expression of what its members aspire to be. The notions of ‘Orientalism’ (how the West sees the East) and ‘Asian values’ (how Asia sees herself) are explored before criteria such as rationality, justice, democracy, individual liberty, separation of church and state, and tolerance, that are generally perceived as European, but also as Western, are examined. Despite them having the same roots, European and Western values vary not inconsiderably because they are interpreted (and practised) not in the same way in Europe and in the US. The reason (also for the differences between Eastern and Western values), it is claimed, lies in the politics of power: differences in values are emphasised and thus enforced for political purposes. Furthermore, cultural values, it is argued, are not ‘naturally’ there, they are constructed ideologies and need to be put back in their place for it is our natural commonalities that (should) essentially matter.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Basic Human Conditions
- Culture
- The West and the Rest
- Orientalism
- Asian Values
- Western Values
- European Values
- Western Values
- Commonalities
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work explores the interplay between Eastern and Western values, examining how cultural identity shapes our worldview. It investigates the concepts of "Orientalism" and "Asian values" and analyzes key Western values such as rationality, justice, and democracy. The author aims to demonstrate how cultural differences are often politically constructed rather than inherently natural.
- The influence of culture on individual perception and values.
- The concept of Orientalism and its impact on East-West relations.
- A comparative analysis of Eastern and Western values.
- The role of power politics in shaping and enforcing cultural differences.
- The importance of recognizing common humanalities beyond cultural distinctions.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Abstract: This work argues that culture, while seemingly ingrained, is a human construct that both reinforces existing social practices and reflects societal aspirations. It delves into "Orientalism" and "Asian values," contrasting them with generally perceived Western values like rationality and democracy. The author emphasizes the role of power politics in exaggerating cultural differences, asserting the importance of underlying commonalities.
Introduction: This chapter introduces Samuel Huntington's influential "Clash of Civilizations?" article and its implications for understanding post-Cold War global dynamics. The author highlights the growing importance of cultural identity in shaping international relations, using Turkey's EU accession bid as a prime example of the tension between national identity and pragmatic pursuit of economic benefits. The chapter establishes the work's central argument: cultural identity is largely constructed and reflects aspirations rather than inherent truths.
Basic Human Conditions: This chapter explores the extent to which human behavior and choices are predetermined by early childhood experiences and societal conditioning. It examines Freudian psychoanalysis and Bourdieu's concepts of habitus and field to illustrate the influence of societal structures on individual dispositions. While acknowledging significant limitations on individual freedom, the chapter suggests that complete determinism is not inevitable, allowing for some degree of choice and agency.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Eastern values, Western values, Orientalism, Asian values, cultural identity, power politics, rationality, justice, democracy, individual liberty, habitus, social conditioning.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the overall theme of this academic work?
This academic work explores the complex interplay between Eastern and Western values, examining how cultural identity shapes our worldviews. It delves into the concepts of "Orientalism" and "Asian values," comparing and contrasting them with commonly perceived Western values such as rationality, justice, and democracy. A central argument is that cultural differences are often politically constructed rather than inherently natural.
What are the key topics covered in the text?
The text covers a range of topics, including: the influence of culture on individual perception and values; the concept of Orientalism and its impact on East-West relations; a comparative analysis of Eastern and Western values; the role of power politics in shaping and enforcing cultural differences; and the importance of recognizing common humanalities beyond cultural distinctions. It also explores the impact of early childhood experiences and societal conditioning on human behavior, referencing theories from Freudian psychoanalysis and Bourdieu's concepts of habitus and field.
What is the structure of the text?
The text is structured with an abstract, introduction, chapters on basic human conditions, culture, a comparative analysis of Western and Eastern values (including subsections on Orientalism and Asian Values, and European and Western Values), and a conclusion focusing on commonalities. It also includes a table of contents and a list of keywords.
What is the author's main argument?
The author argues that culture, while seemingly ingrained, is a human construct. It both reinforces existing social practices and reflects societal aspirations. The author emphasizes the role of power politics in exaggerating cultural differences and highlights the importance of underlying commonalities between cultures, challenging the notion of inherently fixed cultural identities.
Which theoretical frameworks are used in the text?
The text draws upon various theoretical frameworks, including Samuel Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations?" It also incorporates elements of Freudian psychoanalysis and Bourdieu's sociological concepts of habitus and field to analyze the influence of societal structures on individual behavior and values.
What examples are used to illustrate the key arguments?
The text uses Turkey's EU accession bid as a prime example of the tension between national identity and the pragmatic pursuit of economic benefits. It also uses the concepts of Orientalism and Asian Values to illustrate how cultural differences are often perceived and reinforced.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries highlight the constructed nature of cultural identity, the influence of power politics on shaping cultural perceptions, and the importance of recognizing shared human experiences despite cultural differences. They emphasize the limitations of deterministic views of human behavior while acknowledging the significant impact of societal conditioning.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
The keywords associated with the text include: Eastern values, Western values, Orientalism, Asian values, cultural identity, power politics, rationality, justice, democracy, individual liberty, habitus, and social conditioning.
- Quote paper
- Hans Durrer (Author), 2004, "Truth is one, the sages speak of it by many names", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/176241
