R&R — R.E.S.P.E.C.T. & Reinterpretation
In Appiah’s Cosmopolitanism and The Art of Social Change, Appiah explains the components involved in cosmopolitanism and its implications within society that allows us to evolve cultures worldwide.
In Cosmopolitanism, Appiah describes cosmopolitanism and how it relates to the interactions between human beings, claiming, “There are two strands that intertwine in the notion of cosmopolitanism. One is the idea that we have obligations to others…the other is that we take seriously the value of …particular human lives… [thus], there will be times when these two ideals — universal concern and respect for legitimate difference — clash. There’s a sense in which cosmopolitanism is the name not of hte solution but of the challenge.” (Appiah xv) Here, Appiah explains that cosmopolitanism is basically a paradox in balance: you respect values, while staying true to your own regardless of others. Being able to balance those two conflicting concepts is like trying to balance a teeter-totter with a light-weighted child on one end and a heavy adult on the other, it’s not easy, and we can go off balance into one concept for a while before we teeter on to another.
Over all, cross-cultural conversations about values are bound to end in disagreement. This is possible because there may be several factors that allow disagreement to occur, “[there are] three kinds of disagreement about values: we can fail to share vocabulary of evaluation; we can give the same vocabulary different interpretations; and we can give the same values different weights.” Therefore, when you do something to someone, what you do can be truly described in infinitely many ways. When its described in some of those ways, the person you did it to may be glad you did it; when its described in other way, he may not. (Appiah 61,66–67) As a result, there is misinterpretation and lack of clarity that would require additional explanation to justify a person’s perspective on a value. However, values are vague, which allow them to be evaluated in many ways; “Because that language is open-textured and essentially contestable, even people who share a moral vocabulary have plenty to fight about.” (Appiah 60) Therefore, applying value terms to new cases requires judgement and discretion, because “There are thin, universal values here — those of good parenting — but their expression is highly particular, thickly enmeshed with local customs and expectations and the facts of social arrangement.” (Appiah 49) This means values can be universal, but “When it comes to morality, there is no singular truth. In that case, there’s no one shattered mirror; there are lots of mirrors, lots of moral truths, and we can at best agree to differ.” (Appiah 11) This allows us human beings to evolve in multiple eras and change with the environment, which has ensured our survival for the past 200,000 years. At the same time, “What is reasonable for you to believe, as you look out on the world, depends both on what you believe already and on what ideas you have been introduced to…Concepts & ideas develop in out upbringing” (Appiah 41) Our environment create values, which are defined by the values of individual whom enforce them.
For example, in Appiah’s Art of Social change, “The reformers are following the double lesson of the movement against foot-binding. First, [they began] with a dialogue of mutual respect, free of self-congratulation. Second, when [they] have a core of converts, organize a program of public commitment to new practices, which takes into account the traditions of the community.” (Appiah Art of Social Change) This allowed them to change social norms in their community.
This idea of balance between individual’s and their impact on the community falls under a fine line and is very difficult to achieve. In Young Moms Marin, this teens to 20-year olds are trying to balance their own personal growth, while raising a family & redefining social norms within the community. That is an immense challenge, especially when most young people are learning to define their own values through exploration and experimentation during this period of their life. However, based on Appiah’s cosmopolitanism, if we are to balance this relationship of defining our values and sharing with others, while allowing the collective values of the community to teach us about our own values; we will be capable of not only tolerating the multiple interpretations that the human mind allows us to do, but also work along side those whom we disagree with to work cohesively, continuing to evolve the cultures of modern day humanity.
