Melintas An International Journal of Philosophy and Religion
Vol. 24 No. 2 (2008)

TRADITION, REPETITION, TRANSFORMATION : The Dynamic of Cultural Globalization

Piliang, Yasraf A. (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
16 Jul 2014

Abstract

'Tradition' is a contradictory concept with strong ideological burdens. On the one hand, the concept strongly connotes 'repetition', 'fixity' and 'changelessness'; on the other hand, it is diametrically opposed to the concept of 'change', 'dynamism' and 'transformation'. As a form of repetition, tradition is seen as an opposite of change, because it only repeats what 'has been'. However, through a comprehensive interpretation of the concept, it can be argued that the concept of tradition can connote both 'repetition' and 'change'. As a form of repetition, tradition is not totally separated from and immune to a particular pace of change,  innovation or even transformation. This is because there is not only a  'static repetition', but also a 'dynamic repetition' that produces change and difference. Here, I want to stress a 'transformation of tradition'. There are several ways through which a tradition can be  transformed: 1)  reinterpretation of particular forms of tradition; 2) transaesthetics discourse as a dialogues between tradition and other cultures; 3) cultural exchange as a complex process of exchange and selection; 4) critical openness as an inclusive attitude to external cultures; and 5) knowledge differentiation as the enhancement of knowledge of a tradition.

Copyrights © 2008






Journal Info

Abbrev

melintas

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

The aim of this Journal is to promote a righteous approach to exploration, analysis, and research on philosophy, humanities, culture and anthropology, phenomenology, ethics, religious studies, philosophy of religion, and theology. The scope of this journal allows for philosophy, humanities, ...