A Case for A Dialogue of Cultures in the Era of Globalization

Abstract

The paper traces the root causes of the antagonism that has existed between the major cultural groupings of the world and focuses on the need for dialogue through building bridges across cultures by way of recognising one another, accepting and coping with difference, reaching out to others, knowing them and speaking their ‘language’, healing ruptures in relationships on a permanent basis, dialoguing with people across cultural boundaries, dialoguing with people of difference classes, agreeing to disagree with others, fostering partnerships, helping to build capacities in others, and sharing knowledge. The paper advocates Saoshyantian discourse in man’s relations with fellow human beings, that is, discourse that advocates that soul should be given to all human actions, be they in the religious, social, economic and political ideologies that shape our thoughts, our actions and our lives on a daily basis.