Through the course of life, we learn a lot of things. But few have really stumbled across the term, 'ethnocentrism' and what it truly refers to.
The basic definition of ethnocentrism can be given as the belief that people of certain religion, culture, caste or creed have, that their culture and beliefs is greater and far more superior than anybody else's.
How wrong is this belief? A lot, I say.
Why?
Because the greatest philosophy that life teaches us regardless of our religion is that everybody on this Earth is equal. Nobody is big or small just because they follow a certain way of life.
The major reason why such beliefs are propagated is because of both, the believers and the ones who come under its influence. I say this because if there are no people who believe that a certain culture is superior then no culture will actually be superior. This, however, is not the case when it comes to laws and governance, like what we see in Israel and Palestine.
It is because of ethnocentrism that I believe wars happen. World War II is a major example. If Hitler didn't believe and propagate the belief that Jews are inferior, the Holocaust would never exist as a blot in human history.
Ethnocentrism will always exist on some level, no matter how much advanced and liberal we become because it is human nature to protect that what is close to us. So I believe to eradicate this issue from the society, one needs to learn how to open themselves to new experiences and how to receive and filter criticisms. If this happens, truly, the world will be a much more peaceful place.
The basic definition of ethnocentrism can be given as the belief that people of certain religion, culture, caste or creed have, that their culture and beliefs is greater and far more superior than anybody else's.
How wrong is this belief? A lot, I say.
Why?
Because the greatest philosophy that life teaches us regardless of our religion is that everybody on this Earth is equal. Nobody is big or small just because they follow a certain way of life.
The major reason why such beliefs are propagated is because of both, the believers and the ones who come under its influence. I say this because if there are no people who believe that a certain culture is superior then no culture will actually be superior. This, however, is not the case when it comes to laws and governance, like what we see in Israel and Palestine.
It is because of ethnocentrism that I believe wars happen. World War II is a major example. If Hitler didn't believe and propagate the belief that Jews are inferior, the Holocaust would never exist as a blot in human history.
Ethnocentrism will always exist on some level, no matter how much advanced and liberal we become because it is human nature to protect that what is close to us. So I believe to eradicate this issue from the society, one needs to learn how to open themselves to new experiences and how to receive and filter criticisms. If this happens, truly, the world will be a much more peaceful place.
No comments:
Post a Comment