When I think about the character of China I struggle. This surely is not only because I do not know the language. I sense that it is a different world, not just a different part of the world. Despite the obvious, profound differences between Islam and the West; despite, moreover, the increased personal freedoms here in China - with respect to personal matters such as alcohol and relationships – I do feel that China is more exotic and strange to me than was Kuwait.
My Blog List
About Me
- Jonathan
- I am not what I am. My Main blog is at www.livingoutsidetime.blogspot.com
4 comments:
Cultural differences are like alien worlds. Indeed, culture moulds our thoughts so much that we cannot even conceptualise ideas for which we do not have precedents. And the value and rightness of Western knowledge are not empirical absolutes. Which often makes me wonder how presumtuous it is, indeed - as if divinely ordained - to measure everything by the moral standards of the West...
I envy you your experience!
'And the value and rightness of Western knowledge are not empirical absolutes.'
Maybe not but does this stop it being valuable and right. The east thinks not, or it wouldnt be following our lead so much, surely?
When is the next Chinese language University setting up in the Uk, after all - attracting British citizens to study ALL subjects in Chinese. Conceivably it may be in the post, but will we be sure, even then that it wouldn't be recyclying back to us through their its own filter things which they may have learnt from us?
Who presumes this? Much in the west has always been very open to cultural knowledge and influence from other regions.
Are u losing faith in your own heritage my dear?
I hope u r well
x
Are u losing faith in your own heritage my dear?
Call it conceit, or the Übermensch syndrome, but I never had much faith in it in the first place!
Wishing you a good 2009 - nevertheless...
D.
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE
Post a Comment