Customer Reviews

A Common Human Ground: Universality and Particularity in a Multicultural World

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This book has been overshadowed in the last few months by another new book by the same author that is more directly relevant to current political controversies. A Common Human Ground is at least as worthy of attention, although for different reasons. The book strikes me as providing an alternative to what the other book criticizes, which is ideological and political partisanship that undermines relations among states, but it is philosophically more demanding and may not attract as many readers even though it is written with grace and clarity. People who do understand its issues will be greatly challenged and stimulated by it in fundamental ways. The book presents a refreshingly original, even daring approach to the great issues of multiculturalism and globalization. It explains what needs to happen if mankind is to avoid an historical period of unexampled conflict. The author's thesis about the possibility of reconciling unity and diversity is fascinating. It is effectively argued. The book overcomes difficulties that are left unadressed by the now dominant intellectual currents. The argument has postmodernist traits, but these are incorporated into philosophy of a different kind. If it weren't for the philosophical chaos and ideological passions among today's intellectuals, this book might cause a major change in how we address the central issues of the twentyfirst century. In time it may. This strikes me as the kind of book that will sooner or later make a real difference. I find it fascinating that the author has been able to lecture on this subject at the invitation of Beijing University. I can't imagine a book less compatible with Marxism. Every university library will need a copy.