On the Universal : The Uniform, the Common and Dialogue Between Cultures

Jullien, Francois; Richardson, Michael (TRN); Fijalkowski, Krzysztof (TRN)

ISBN 10: 0745646239 / ISBN 13: 9780745646237

Published by Polity, 2014

About this Item

Unread book in perfect condition.

Seller Inventory # 20580373

Bibliographic Details

• Title: On the Universal : The Uniform, the Common and Dialogue Between Cultures
• Publisher: Polity
• Publication Date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0745646239
• ISBN 13: 9780745646237
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: As New

About this title

Synopsis

François Jullien, the leading philosopher and specialist in Chinese thought, has always aimed at building on inter-cultural relations between China and the West. In this new book he focuses on the following questions: Do universal values exist? Is dialogue between cultures possible?

To answer these questions, he retraces the history of the concept of the universal from its invention as an aspect of Roman citizenship, through its neutralization in the Christian idea of salvation, to its present day manifestations. This raises the question of whether the search for the universal is a uniquely Western preoccupation: do other cultures, like China, even have a notion of the universal, and if so, how does it differ from ours? Having considered the meaning of the concept in the East and West, Jullien argues that, if communication between cultures is to be meaningful, facile assumptions of universal values and complacent relativism need to be examined. It follows, therefore, that dialogue between cultures should not begin with issues of identity and difference, but rather by considering divergence and profusion. By no longer simply assuming universality, we allow for greater self-reflection.

This wide-ranging and engaging study will be of particular interest to students and scholars of philosophy and of Chinese culture and society. It will also appeal to a wider readership interested in contemporary thought and the challenges of communication between East and West.

About the Author

François Jullien is professor at the Universit Paris-Diderot and a member of the Institut universitaire de France.