Towards the end of class we mentioned assimilation. I have always found this concept to be vital in how people think and operate. Assimilation starts at birth. The relationships formed within early childhood development will have lasting influences over a person's life, although assimilation could occur at later ages, but often many of the ideas within one's psyche will root within their childhood. For instance, a person would not be a Catholic unless they grew up in a Catholic household or a society permitting the practice of such a religion. In general, this just makes me think it is horribly indecent to hold higher a particular belief over another. That is because no matter what someone's perspective is their actions or thoughts are responsible from the relationships around them.
Peerenboom writes about harmony of the state within the ideas of Confucianism. This places emphasis on the relationships of individuals apposed to individuals themselves. As the social order of Chinese ideology requires interconnection, assimilation is then merely the union of various influences that constitute itself. Assimilation is then a dynamic systems of relationships that seem to resonate the Buddhist idea of interdependency.
I don't know where I'm going with this . . but maybe it can spark an idea or a thought.
Your first point sparked my interest- I agree, our ideologies are largely influenced by our relationships, socioeconomic situations, and cultural situations (including religion or lack thereof).
ReplyDeleteMoreover, a large amount of these influences (especially during childhood) are merely due to the 'accident of birth,' as it is often called. This alone is good reason to avoid all of the 'centrisms' that seem to permeate our American society especially.