Toward a Dialogical Civilization

Back dated to a few years ago, I had a first encounter with Professor Tu weiming ( Professor of Chinese History and Philosophy, Havard University) in the media ( Sin Chew Jit Poh). In the news, I clearly remembered that he was excited to propagate the idea “toward dialogical civilization”. As an eminent and distinguished professor from Havard University, his ideas and lectures were highly noted and easily gained recognition especially in the Chinese society. Dated back to many years ago, Confucian philosophy has been well rooted among the Malaysian chinese society. The philosophy constitutes a major part of education syllabus for those who study either chinese language or chinese history. Hence, it is not surprising that his in-dept understanding and research of Confucian studies are able to generate overwhelming support from most of the chinese community members. From a small boy aged from 8-12 years old ( the period when I received primary one to primary six eduction) until teenage level, 13-17 years old ( the period when I received secondary school education), the chinese subject was substantially taught with elements of Confucian philosophy. As a result of the education, my life’s principle and value system was strongly guided by the philosophy. In other words, the Confucian philosophy is not new to me and most of the chinese well educated person (those more or less same age as me). However, due to the belief that Prof. Tu was rigorously educated and well trained as philosophers in Havard University, I had the feelings that he might deliver lots of new insight on his ideas ( toward dialogical civilization) which could help me better understand the current world order ( be it politically, humanity or religion) as well as provided contemporary inside story, feasible ideas or approach which might help to minimize or end the current chaos and conflicts happening around the globe. 

The importance of dialogue 

In the lecture, he highlighted the importance of dialogue as a mean to eliminate clash between different civilization, clash between academic circles and clash between business world. In short, he believed that dialogue could bring about peace in the world as well as able to improve teaching and research quality in the academic world. 

The two popular philosophy 

He cited two kinds of philosophy that govern how human interact to each other and behave in daily life. According to him, Socrates’s philosophy involve actively encouraging his students to raise challenging questions in the learning process. The process might transform his student from ignorant to knowledgeable person. On the other hand, in the Confucian philosophy, it encourages two way dialogues between master and students to achieve mutual benefits. 

The two forces that govern the world 

Concerning the forces that govern civilization nowadays, he cited globalization and modernization process as the two forces that is affecting the trend. During the primordial period, human in the different part of the world was live as a separate and isolated society. There was rare interaction and integration of culture between different kinds of society. However, in the recent days, the world has evolved into a state where high level of interaction and integration including but not limited to culture, linguistic and ethnic characters are happening everyday. The term “ Globalization” was universally used to described this phenomenon. He noted that though “ Globalization” is a powerful tool to achieve homogenization of various human activity including but not limited to trading, manufacturing and tourism, the approach failed to achieve homogenization in economic. In other word, there is still a serious economic gap among many parts of the world. 

The impact of Globalization on China society 

The wave of globalization has certainly created impact to China society. For many years, China has long been known plagued by domestic and opium war which made the country poor and difficult for life. As a result of globalization , many opportunities are created and open for brilliant minds from China mainland. Thus, after strategic analysis and comparisons ( worst of the worst countries versus best of the best countries), many brilliant minds from China flew to US as they believe that the only way to progress is to learn from modern western civilization. Consequently, there was a huge hemorrhage of talent from China mainland to developed countries like USA. 

Western value vs Asian value 

He was in doubt whether the value mainly Science, Liberty, Law, Human Right strongly footed in the western civilization are good enough to construct a ideal society. On the other hand, for many years, the society in China has strong belief including but not limited to dignity, compassion, sympathy and justice as some core key elements for so called ideal society. However, he was highly upset that these so called “ Asian values” were totally ignored in the current western world. He expressed worries concerning these difference as it might lead to dangerous conflicts and society unrest.

The pre-requisite for fruitful dialogue

Prof. Tu campaigned the need for dialogue between this two value system as an joint venture effort to complement each other. The dialogue shall based on core values emphasized in each value system. In addition, for fruitful dialogue outcome, the following assumptions must be strictly adhered to before the dialogue proceeds:- 1. The world is not governed by one super power 2. The world is not divided by socialism, capitalism, communism and etc. 3. The world is not dominated by three super power ( USA, China and Russia) However, it is a reality that there are multipolar diverse society, geo diversity and biological diversity exist in this world. He pointed out that the current world is only shaped by influence of wealth and power. The globalization initiated by the western world not only blocking effort to encourage integration of cultures, rather, it had create more conflicts in the world. 

How civilization evolve in Eastern world and Occidental world? 

He recounted Xuanzhuang (the monk )’s epic mission to India in search of knowledge and wisdom. Against all odds, they accomplished their mission impossible and brought the Buddhism (Sutras) back to China which eventually made a huge impact to transform the chinese society. Whereas in US and Europe countries, the renaissance of Arabic culture had created much impact on their early society.

Many faces of varies culture 

 Asian countries was particularly an area of strong footing for China culture, Arabic culture and Indian culture. Indian culture was mainly dominant by teachings propagated by Mahatma Ganthi. Whereas for East Asia ( China, Taiwan and Japan) , the Buddhism had gained strong footing. Recently, there were overwhelming interest among the Christian and Jews in the western world to study Confucian philosophy. There was also a hot debate whether the Confucian philosophy is religious or is it a secular humanism? 

Knowledge as a power to understand different civilization 

In order to enhance better understanding between different civilization, Prof.Tu was in favour of the following approach:- 1. There is a need to create a specific language for that particular civilization 2. There is a need to develop global citizenship In addition, the need to enhance tolerance, giving proper recognize, paying due respect and finally improve mutual understanding should be strongly emphasized to achieve fruitful dialogue. 

Four key elements to achieve fruitful dialogue 

 Prof. Tu suggested the following four elements as pre-requisite to achieve fruitful dialogue:- 1. The general assumption that what is your best might not be my best must be safeguarded. 2. There is a need for interaction and integration among different societies 3. There must be a harmonious relationship among all the living organisms and the earth. 4. There is a need to be transcendent ( not influenced by negative thoughts, feelings and attitudes) 

The past and present civilization in China and India 

 Prof. Tu was truly upset after realizing that the current society in China failed to understand their culture developed 5000 years ago. Though the China was recognized as second economic giant after USA, the capital income was highly low. In addition, the wave of globalization has cause the China lost its tradition cultures. In other words, he was in the view that China has suffered great losses by learning and following western civilization. On the other hand, in general, though India remained plagued by poverty and corruptions problems, the country has successfully withstand its cultural heritage.

Could dialogue help to eradicate poverty and corruption?

Prof. Tu believe that there are many causes for the negative phenomenon, hence he was in the view that it is inappropriate to simplify or intepretate the link without thorough research. 

The shift of Obama foreign policy 

 According to Prof. Tu, for many years ago, US had been recognized as a great learning civilization. The Americans were keen to learn language from England, arts from France and science from Germany. Through evolution and advances achieved in many discipline, the US subsequently adopted teaching civilization. However, instead of bring about positive effect, the switch had created much disasters and destruction to the country. For instance, the incident of September 11 had created much trauma to the civilized society. As a result, there are significant number of Americans no longer feeling proud being American. However, back to current Obama’s administration, the unilateral policy has changed into multilateral policy. In conclusion, it was one of the most excited social science public lectures that I have attended before! 

Source

Tu,Weiming 2010. Toward a dialogical civilization. Havard Ezra F. Vogel Malaysia/Singapore Initiative Public Lecture Series, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,Bangi,Malaysia. 4th May.