Kwame Anthony Appiah’s article “The Case for Contamination” focuses on the interconnected issues involving cultural diversity, ethical obligations, and increased globalization. Appiah is a compelling advocate for Cosmopolitanism, an ethical principle that aims to institute universality and collective values across individuals to form a single community. Unlike his book “Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers,” the article focuses less on the ideology of Cosmopolitanism and more about the increased occurrence of globalization. Appiah constructed an argument that religion can be utilized as a safeguard for culture during times of globalization. Religion assists individuals in preserving their unique cultural customs while being subjected
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In his article, Appiah introduces that many locations, such as Asante and Pennsylvania, have become less distinctive due to internal improvements including “access to effective medicines, clean drinking water, and more schools.” Appiah inferred that individuals in these locations feel that their identities are threatened because of the radical alteration of religious, social, cultural, and economic views. Appiah believes that artificial cultural diversity and homogeneity is an entrapment that hinders individual development and evolution. Appiah interprets that “authenticity now just amounts to telling other people what they ought to value in their own traditions,” meaning that individual’s identities are being manipulated by consumerist desires for materialistic items. Rather than the enforcement of uniformity, diversity is more beneficial for individuals in broadening their mental, moral, and aesthetic potential. Furthermore, Appiah cites the neo-fundamentalist’s ideology of a global utopia, which can have a negative impact on individual’s identities and humankind. In Appiah’s book, he explains that a religious utopia illustrates a façade in human faith and enforces shared values across the world. However, behind this façade is wretched intolerance that can promote war against any nation that obstructs their sense of universal justice. For Appiah, …show more content…
This embraces differences and encourages the production of modern ideas, perspectives, and attitudes from individuals of all backgrounds. Appiah discusses that “unless there is a corresponding diversity in their modes of life, they neither obtain their fair share of happiness, nor grow up to the mental, moral, and aesthetic stature of which their nature is capable,” this reinforces the importance and value of diversity for personal development. Several approaches to inter-religious dialogue include focusing on the role of religious leaders as peacemakers, which is helpful in challenging prejudices and stimulating universal involvement. Another inter-religious approach includes engaging in joint activities that build trust and mutual understanding, instead of having a discussion that could lead to arguments regarding different world-views. Additionally, when discussion is not followed by actions, there is a high risk for polarization and distrust between religious parties. Appiah confirms that “there can be an easy and spurious utopianism of mixture, as there is of purity.” Overall, diversity assists in creating an environment filled with different values, principles, and
In his article, Appiah introduces that many locations, such as Asante and Pennsylvania, have become less distinctive due to internal improvements including “access to effective medicines, clean drinking water, and more schools.” Appiah inferred that individuals in these locations feel that their identities are threatened because of the radical alteration of religious, social, cultural, and economic views. Appiah believes that artificial cultural diversity and homogeneity is an entrapment that hinders individual development and evolution. Appiah interprets that “authenticity now just amounts to telling other people what they ought to value in their own traditions,” meaning that individual’s identities are being manipulated by consumerist desires for materialistic items. Rather than the enforcement of uniformity, diversity is more beneficial for individuals in broadening their mental, moral, and aesthetic potential. Furthermore, Appiah cites the neo-fundamentalist’s ideology of a global utopia, which can have a negative impact on individual’s identities and humankind. In Appiah’s book, he explains that a religious utopia illustrates a façade in human faith and enforces shared values across the world. However, behind this façade is wretched intolerance that can promote war against any nation that obstructs their sense of universal justice. For Appiah, …show more content…
This embraces differences and encourages the production of modern ideas, perspectives, and attitudes from individuals of all backgrounds. Appiah discusses that “unless there is a corresponding diversity in their modes of life, they neither obtain their fair share of happiness, nor grow up to the mental, moral, and aesthetic stature of which their nature is capable,” this reinforces the importance and value of diversity for personal development. Several approaches to inter-religious dialogue include focusing on the role of religious leaders as peacemakers, which is helpful in challenging prejudices and stimulating universal involvement. Another inter-religious approach includes engaging in joint activities that build trust and mutual understanding, instead of having a discussion that could lead to arguments regarding different world-views. Additionally, when discussion is not followed by actions, there is a high risk for polarization and distrust between religious parties. Appiah confirms that “there can be an easy and spurious utopianism of mixture, as there is of purity.” Overall, diversity assists in creating an environment filled with different values, principles, and