ダイコトミーとアメリカ文化

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タイトル別名
  • Dichotomy and American Culture
  • ダイコトミー ト アメリカ ブンカ

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抄録

Dichotomy rests partially on the psychological drive inherent in human nature to see dualities of elements in what calls for reasoned explanations. But in America, it is more of a consequence of the culture-a process of partitioning the seemingly incompatibles or irreconcilables into two parts and redefining them in terms stereotypical of the general attitude of the era. What I have sketched so far in the preceding chapters is the American society that should be viewed as an argument culture which depends for its satisfaction upon dichotomy, oftentimes with the winning side claiming "truth." Even in intellectual activity the middle alternatives have often been dismissed. Many people still remain stalwart upholders of dichotomies, whether intelligently conceived or not. Prevalent (as of January, 2009) is the opinion that "anti-intellectualism" has receded (along with George W. Bush) after having dominated the political scene and "intellectualism" has secured an honored position again (along with Barack Obama). "Intellectualism or reason has suffered long in the battle with catchpenny realities or unreason," is nothing but another phase of dichotomy characteristic of the traditional American culture. With the emergence of the Internet, environmentalism and globalism, however, dividing elements categorically into two sharply opposed groups may not be a mental luxury all these people can easily afford. Intellectualism embraces reason, but what we might call "new intellectualism" or "neo-intellectualism" seems to be ready to nurture the potential "truth" of both sides. It may even contribute to an understanding of Emerson's transcendental concern with a dialectic ... not dichotomous ... union of "mind" and "nature," and of Thoreau as "one both knowing and doing."

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KJ00005182979

収録刊行物

  • 學苑

    學苑 822 114-124, 2009-04-01

    東京 : 光葉会

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