Pluralism in the Eyes of Gray and Asian Cultures
Values of Asian Countries
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The pluralistic framework is embodied in the writings of John Gray can extend in ways to comprehend the values found in Asian countries. Pluralism is clarified as a system of society in which individuals come from various diverse racial, ethnic, religious and social groups that preserve and develop their traditional ritual or culture within the interest of civilization. Furthermore, pluralism is a condition that allows two or more systems coexist. John Gray argues within the existence of modern society, pluralism is timeless and the greatest philosophical ideal of our time.
In the writings of John Gray’s Enlightenment’s wake, he ponders on the question, “Why to be good?” When the “Enlightenment’s central enterprises, such as the rational reconstruction of morality, and the assertion by the science of authority over all forms of knowledge” (Gray,1995, pg. 144). He argues that rationalism alone cannot result in conflicts that exist. Despite competition, risk, and inequality being inevitable, many desirable traits in a society are the idea of public help or service to others. He proposes a solution of policymaking which includes maintaining a healthy environment and recognizing “different communities and their associated cultural traditions. Such as pluralist institutions may reasonably adopt elements of liberal practice...a historical inheritance which meets contemporary human needs” (Gray, 1995, pg. 156). He continues to create a compelling argument that liberal and non-liberal states must live in peace and harmony. Therefore, we must tolerate our knowledge among other cultures to expand our horizons. Although society seems to value modernization, it creates the repetition of European developments causing other cultures to be indistinct. This causes problems because it prevents other cultures from creating a self-image and becoming independent, thus preventing them from fulfilling the goal of Modus Vivendi. John Gray explores the goal that allows “individuals and communities with conflicting values and interest may consent to coexist” (Gray, 2001, pg. 104). Today in the United States, the various identities of groups have created a hybridization and have shaped the world we lived in. With that in mind, the American identity no longer consists of White European descendants, but a melting pot of immigrants. Gray supports the notion that migration and communication have made pluralism a common condition. If we attempt to escape pluralism, it would increase tension and could possibly lead to misconceptions of lies, half-truths which he greatly disapproves.
The readings found in The Asian Values Debate: Implications for the Spread of Liberal Democracy expands on pluralism as it explicates the understanding of Asian values. Pluralist perception of tolerance is introduced as the ability to actively tolerate opinions, attitudes, behavior that an individual's despite difference. This does not necessarily mean that an individual must fully understand the history and beliefs surrounding that particular religion, but learn to tolerate and be open minded to different religions. After all, the definition of a good society is to maximize economic mobility, tolerance, privacy, diversity, and safety. Asian cultures believe “every country must find its own specific solutions to the problems of governance” (Subramanian, 2000, pg. 22) to meet the needs of economic stability and maintain social cohesion. This conceptual framework embodies the pluralistic approach because Asian values discuss the “appropriate balance” such as having the ability to separate social values of political-economic values. In order to achieve the necessary conditions of existence, there must be social stability as well as communal peace. Even though cultures may change dynamically, it is essential to avoid stereotyping other nations different from own because many Asian countries feel threatened by the forced conformity of Westernization. This article introduces “illiberal democracy” which basically obstructs freedom of thought when we mandate the assimilation over the assumption that Westernized nations are superior among Non-Westernized nations. Despite having different perspectives on freedom, security, and stability seeking the common ground with Asian cultures and values could possibly alleviate problems as we reflect the plurality of cultural societies in an open, engaging mind.
The teachings of “The Confucian Worldview: Uncommon Assumptions, Common Misconceptions" makes the compelling argument, “To explore Chinese ways of thinking and living, then, we will, at the very least, have to recognize that we are dealing with a fundamentally different worldview” (Ames, 2010, pg. 33). Confucian perspectives complement the act of benevolence and goodness carried on throughout everyday life. Pluralism framework is evident as described in the passage, “Often a tradition suspends within itself competing and even conflicting elements that, although at odds with one another, reflect a pattern of importance integral to and constitutive of its culture” (Ames, 2010, pg. 33). This creates a fulfillment of coherence when defining the structure that makes up a distinguishable culture among others. Although there are two different beliefs prevalent in China such as Confucianism and Daoism, their disagreements “have allowed for meaningful communication to occur between them” (Ames, 2010, pg. 33). Thus, the meaning of life is consumed in the two-world theory defined as the binary pairing of opposites, making human experiences coherent. One cannot exist without the other, such as a soul and a body. They both complement each other. Humans existing in the natural world have the ability to unlock the future of “cultivation, articulation, and manipulation” (Ames, 2010, pg. 42).
From the interpretations found in John Gray’s writings and writings of Asians, cultures transcend the pluralistic ability to tolerate and allow the coherence to existing in society. Without that fundamental balance, we cannot learn from our experiences and maintain sanity in our lives as we connect with the world. Therefore, the worldviews of Asian cultures and Confucianism are shown to incorporate Pluralism within their society. As John Gray suggests, maybe we should do the same.
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Sarah Elizabeth
Future physical therapist and recent graduate. Love to be outside and write and read.
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