Join me Today @ 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET for a special “Ask Me Anything About Philosophy” event where I will answer questions on philosophy in general and Objectivism in particular.
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I think I have missed this as I am in Australia and the time zones can be difficult.
I have a question.
It concerns the role of some cultures attempting to maintain present day relevance by venerating the cultural practices of the past.
Here in Australia we see this particularly in Aboriginal, or what is also known as Indigenous or First Nation culture.
There seems to be a focus on practicing and keeping alive things such as dance, language, stories, mythologies etc.
I have no problem with this at all, but I notice that Western Culture seems to have little to no Interest in this.
Western culture does not universally invest in practicing expressions of language and dance and dress from hundreds or even thousands of years ago.
It is true that some people like to Cosplay or dress up in period piece from time to time, but this feels to me more an expression of nostalgia, with some expressions of this even employing actors.
So, why does western culture seem content to seek it’s identity in the PRESENT, while many non western cultures look to a snap frozen identity from the past?
If modern European men and women suddenly started to dress in furs and carry primitive spears etc would we think that strange?
Do we need the past to be kept alive culturally and philosophically in order to better understand ourselves, or are we more like Surfers of cultural history, riding a wave that continually carries us forward and where dwelling on the past will only disconnect us from the focus needed to surf in the now?
For context as to my own experiences of this and why I find this question fascinating, I offer this:
My parents were both migrants to Australia from Scotland. They kept their Scottish roots alive in the home.
At 19 I discovered I was adopted.
I have never felt the need to find my birth parents, or show loyalty to Scotland.
My own philosophy is that there is only the now and I do not need these past identifyers to define or explain me.
In sharing this over the years with people from other cultures they have been stunned that I could adequately define myself without the need for an expiration of my cultural roots.
I just don’t bwant to speak a language probably long lost from ages ago.
I may not be able to catch your answer unless you post it on YouTube or in Facebook but if there is a link to your response anywhere I would be grateful.
Thanks, Jimmy. We’re scheduling another for next month.