Intercultural Dialogue: In Search of Harmony in Diversity

Intercultural Dialogue: In Search of Harmony in Diversity offers a philosophical analysis of the issues surrounding cultural diversity and dialogical relationships among cultures as an alternative to "culture wars" and hegemonic globalization. First, it examines the ideas of dialogue and harmony as expressed in Daoism, Confucianism, Indian, and Ancient Greek philosophical traditions, as well as in contemporary European and Latin-American philosophies. These categories are viewed in their normative role in a conflicted world. Second, it asserts that intercultural dialogue should have inter-philosophical global dialogue as its epistemological and ontological foundation. Drawing on the works of Laozi, Confucius, Plato, Kant, Gandhi, and Mikhail Bakhtin, among others, the book addresses the importance of intercultural philosophical dialogue and "the globalization of philosophy." It also examines obstacles to its realization, such as "philosophical coloniality" and the asymmetries of power. Third, dialogue among the various world philosophies suggests a broad concept of philosophy and of its mission in the world. Intercultural philosophy elaborates on the conceptualization of philosophy as culturally embedded, and on a project of the intercultural transformation of philosophy. Attention is paid to dialogic philosophy, particularly Bakhtin's dialoguism and its contemporary elaboration in the phenomenology of indirect speech, "synergic anthropology," and the theory of transculture. The principles of dialogic philosophy can serve as a theoretical basis of a new, dialogic civilization. Finally, the book offers a critical analysis of social and global problems. Their possible solutions require a more dialogically oriented and humane transformation of society. Thus, it is necessary to go beyond instrumental rationality and to be open for cross-cultural and inter-religious dialogue and ethics of co-responsibility, as well as to strengthen international law and institutions, aiming for a gradual realization of the ideal of a cosmopolitan order of law and peace.