From: exunikh@s08a20.com (NIKHIL TIKEKAR, XT/DE, 4205)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian,soc.history
Subject: Re: World Culture and Western Culture
Date: 29 Sep 92 16:19:54 GMT
Reply-To: exunikh@s08a20.com
Organization: Ericsson Network Systems
X-Disclaimer: This article was posted by a user at Ericsson in North America.
              The opinions expressed are strictly those of the user and
              not necessarily those of Ericsson.


Mr.McCarthy writes:

>I have already learned a bit from the discussion, but I still
>don't see how to rewrite my article in such a way as to avoid
>misunderstanding.

A few hints:

* Define (unambiguously) terms such as: `western', `culture' and `superior
  (Was `greek culture' made part of `western culture' with the benefit of
  hindsight ?)
* (Technology, Economy) /= (Culture)
* The topic chosen relies on a subjective value system
* When you communicate through a value system (meta-level),about values in
  general, arguements could get circular ( Which value system/culture should
  I chose as superior, if my notions of inferior and superior are part of my
  current value system ?)
* Using a framework of objective, rational discussion for a subjective
  conclusion merely creates `illusion of being rational'
* Though human beings make conscious decisions about their
  destiny,shaping of a culture is determined (in large part) by complex
  historical forces (circumstances/environment as a function of time
  being one of them....historical context)
* Statements such as:
> 4. Analytic philosophy.  All other important philosophies
>reached dead ends in which they are still stuck.
  do not lead to meanigful discussions (hope, that was the intention),
  but reflect `dogma'/ignorance.
* Technology -> conveniences/ability to manipulate certain phenomenon
  -> life style /= `superior'
* Irrespective of the source, preserving `good' attitudes/social behaviour
  that help (create) an environment `YOU LIKE', is a subjective judgement
* Communism, heavy metal etc. are not (inherently) `bad' ideas
* `Pre- industrial' societies were (technologically, economically) similar
   (using `todays standards') - `West' was the seat of industrial revolution
   - Its a 200-300 year old phenomenon - which is quite recent on historical
   time scales  ->  That does not qualify it for the title `superior'
  (unless you believe an inherently superior culture (a dynamic concept) was
   waiting for critical mass :-))
* There is no known absolute `criterion' (hence the concept GOD)
* History was written by human beings (usually the `winners'). It includes
  their biases. If you are unable to verify a presidential candidates claim
  (your own life time), its dangerous to use specifics from a much more
  complex `past'(history) to support your arguements.
* Human values, emotions, ideas, languages, cultures, and minds are too
  complex (compared to say, computers and logic) to be analysed (and reach
  a conclusion) in a few essays.
* Can add more 
 

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"What, mind is an algorithm ? I am sure you did not take mine into account".
 - me.

Ericsson is not responsible for my opinions

exunikh@exu.ericsson.se
214- 997 - 4205