Analysis 2: Out with the Old

There are only a handful of cultures that are completely unknown to the global community outside of them. As individuals, many of us can research the knowledge we lack about a particular people or place. To be an explorer, reaching a seemingly new continent with a seemingly new civilization that no one in the(ir) world has ever heard of before, is an experience that no person in our global community will ever have again. The 15th and 16th centuries seem a fantasy, more fit for the pages of fiction than of history.

Think of the range of purposes of the exploring Europeans involved, at home and abroad. The missionaries with the goal of spreading the biblical word of God to those who’ve never heard of Christianity. The explorers who sought both the money and prestige that came with a successful voyage. The rich of the old world willing to sponsor these extravagant endeavors for goods that have become relatively easy to attain, modern-day commodities, like silk, and spices. The home nations, wanting new resources, power, and recognition brought about by the conquering of new, inhabited lands. The ultimate curiosities of all those involved, including, and at the expense of, native peoples. The precise nature of these purposes are unlike anything most have ever experienced, or can ever experience. Time confines us to an inevitably refracted view of humans in history. The lens of relativism colors everything, and special, thorough attention must be given to try to understand the thoughts and emotions of those involved.

Our goals and ambitions (and thus our purpose(s)) are inevitably shaped by the cultures in which we develop and live. So, part of understanding what our purposes should be, and what our Purpose is, can be achieved by examining other cultures: those across the world today, and those of humanity’s past. We need to let go; not just read the facts about what these cultures are and were like, but imagine their existence in the context of their relative purposes. Other cultures just might shed a light on us and the culture in which we live, through their diversity, if nothing else. Many of the explorers of five centuries ago did not approach new cultures with an open and accepting mind. To understand who we are and why we do the things we do, we must avoid that mistake.

Comments

[Lon Benattar]

I agree, and I think that one of the main issues with the whole culture clash is that we do look down on these cultures as "savage" or "developing", as if labeling them thusly gives us the ability to push them out of our minds. It's laughable really, while we push our "advanced" society on everyone. What's so advanced about us anyhow? We go to the bathroom indoors? We have cellphones?

[ThrO192]

I think that it is our misfortune to live in a time when our current sphere of possibilities for exploration has been done and over done. Future generations will have the priveledge again of space and to an extent the ocean. The ocean will most likely not provide any new cultures though.

[Keith]

In psychology there is a concept called Maslow's pyramid which places human needs in a hierarchy. Once one need is fulfilled, a person can concentrate on the next need. For example (hopefully I am following the hierarchy correctly, but if not, hopefully you still see my point) a basic need is food. Once that has been addressed, a person can focus on shelter. Once food and shelter are addressed, a person can focus on sexual desires. Etc etc etc. This advancement of personal need can be correlated to the need of the species as you seem to be mentioning. In both cases, each need fulfilled provides indirect advancement to a higher level.

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