Our culture teaches us that we are wiser, more just and generally better people than those who went before us. Well, that’s the Western worldview. And we’re so sure of how right we are that official government policy is to export our views and preferences to developing nations. Aid is provided with strings attached. You must adopt our “progressive” ways because we really are much better people than you with your traditions and customs.
Get the picture? This is an uncomfortable truth.
This approach is not restricted to geopolitics. We find it in business; education; public services and even organised religion in “The Church”. Let’s face The Facts: we look back at those unenlightened people of yesterday and celebrate how far we have come in the way we generally do life.
For reassurance: this is not a mere diatribe against modernity.
Rather, this is a sincere recommendation to resist the myopia brought on by cultural arrogance. If we fail to see the good things in our history, not only do we lose the benefits of appreciative learning, but we also deny an essential part of our humanity. We are here because, and not in spite, of them. It is due to them that mankind has survived and thrived for centuries. Our forebears bequeathed us the heritage and legacy that today we happily enjoy.
We also need to challenge ourselves and ask what really are we building in our personal lives, our families, neighbourhoods, communities, nations and our world; and is it so much better?
An ancient proverb declares, “Pride comes before a fall.” If we can find in our hearts, and develop within our culture, a greater humility, a clearer perspective on what’s good about how our culture has changed and what’s not, we’re more likely to learn from the past.
And in doing so to build a better future.
Photo Credit: European Medieval Buildings
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