A great challenge of the twenty-first century is the danger of
conflict between persons, peoples, and cultures, among and within
societies. In A Common Human Ground, Claes Ryn explores the nature
of this problem and sets forth a theory about what is necessary for
peaceful relations to be possible. Many in the Western world trust
in 'democracy,' 'capitalism,' 'liberal tolerance,' 'scientific
progress,' or 'general enlightenment' to handle this problem.
Although each of these, properly defined, may contribute toward
alleviating disputes, Ryn argues that the problem is much more
complex and demanding than is usually recognized. He reasons that,
most fundamentally, good relations among individuals and nations
have moral and cultural preconditions. What can predispose them to
mutual respect and peace? One Western philosophical tradition, for
which Plato set the pattern, maintains that the only way to genuine
unity is for historical diversity to yield to universality. The
implication of this view for a multicultural world would be a peace
that requires that cultural distinctiveness be effaced as far as
possible and replaced with a universal culture. A very different
Western philosophical tradition denies the existence of
universality altogether. It is represented today by postmodernist
multiculturalism-a view that leaves unanswered the question as to
how conflict between diverse groups might be averted. Ryn questions
both of these traditions, arguing for the potential union of
universality and particularity. He contends that the two need not
be enemies, but in fact need each other. Cultivating individual and
national particularities is potentially compatible with
strengthening and enriching our common humanity. This volume
embraces the notion of universality, while at the same time
historicizing it. Using wide-ranging examples, Ryn presents a
firmly sustained and systematic argument centering on this central
issue. His approach is interdisciplinary, discussing not only
political ideas, but also fiction, drama, and other arts. Scholarly
and philosophical, but not specialized, this book will appeal to
general readers as well as intellectuals.
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