In this interesting video that I was recently introduced to in one of my other classes, Kwame Anthony Appiah, a Ghanaian-British-American philosopher, explains the meaning of the term “cosmopolitanism” in Astra Taylor's Examined Life.
Kwame (beginning at 2:12 in the video): “Cosmopolitanism comes from the Greek phrase kosmopolitês which means “Citizen of the Cosmos—of the world” and uh, we need a notion of level citizenship.” (The camera pans to the flight board displaying many names of various destinations around the world as Kwame walks through the airport.) “The cosmopolitan says you have to begin by recognizing that we are responsible collectively for each other as citizens are. But second, cosmopolitans think it’s okay for people to be different—that they care about everybody but not in a way where they want everybody to be the same or like them.”
We’ve recently discussed in class, what Kenneth Burke calls “God-terms.” According to Burke, “God-terms” are defined as the most privileged terms that are both vague and powerful. Among them, are words like “freedom,” “progress,” and “the fatherland.” After watching this clip, perhaps we could consider Kwame’s concept of “cosmopolitanism” a “God-term.” Because “cosmopolitanism” is about bringing cultures together and learning how to be responsible citizens of the world, it encompasses everything it means to be “God-term." It is a word that has a special meaning within each culture and carries power where ever it is used.
“Cosmopolitanism” could be a “God-term” for those who believe in equality and who are open to people of all languages. I feel it is a prime example of a “God-term” because the word seems incomprehensible and automatically gives the phrase a positive meaning. It represents a “philosophical universalism” that attempts to resolve conflicts of values across many cultures. The term could be used to interpret our surroundings by allowing us to recognize the differences between people and learning to accept that not everybody has to be like us.
Though the term “cosmopolitanism” sounds marvelously noble, it can mean practically anything and seems deliberately unclear. To my readers, I pose this: What does the term “cosmopolitanism” mean to you?
Great pick Stephanie! This was one of my favorite videos and I think this does display a lot about language, and everything we discussed in class Thursday! The one quote pulled directly from the video was, “The cosmopolitan says you have to begin by recognizing that we are responsible collectively for each other as citizens are. But second, cosmopolitans think it’s okay for people to be different—that they care about everybody but not in a way where they want everybody to be the same or like them.”
ReplyDeleteTo me this has such strong terms, meaning and overall is a great use of language. He displays different levels of language, and stratification. He discusses a lot about the difference in which we have evolved into the context in which we have come too. I think your right on key, when you discuss his meanings of "god terms" used.
To answer your critical thinking question; to me Cosmopolitanism means that I can be involved with myself, my local community and globally. It’s important that one recognizes that we are all different and similar in many ways, there is no right or wrong. There will always be a conflict of values but to use cosmopolitanism is to try to understand the diversity between values in order to appreciate differences and similarities.
My questions for this film are:
Do you think that all people are capable of creating change through cosmopolitanism?(even murders or people who are racist)?
How can one incorporate diversity, values and ideas of cosmopolitanism into daily life?
I'm intrigued by Appiah, and also by his use of the term "cosmopolitanism." In my own circles, the word has been a "God-term" since the 1980's. God-terms are privileged and have potency within certain (not all) social groups, and in the case of cosmopolitanism, my guess is that the sphere of its "God-like" influence is still relatively small.
ReplyDeleteGood discussion.