Appiah’s Two Strands of Cosmopolitanism Theory, Essay Example

In Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Stranger, Kwame Anthony Appiah (2006) starts by saying that through immigration, tourism, international trades and businesses, radios, televisions, telephones, and the Internet, we are able to exchange information with each other on a global scale. The advancements in technology have made the distance between people in this world shorter, and closer. How did we cope with the changes and live in a globalized world? Appiah introduces the theory of cosmopolitanism, which explains that all human beings should act as citizens of one community, independently of their their political affiliations, culture, and religious beliefs. Appiah explains, “A citizen – a polites – belonged to a particular Polis, a city to which he, or she, owed loyalty” (p. xiv). It is very important to understand the two strands of cosmopolitanism, because they help us live together on our globalized world. By understanding those who live in different parts of the world and by gaining knowledge about the diversity of various cultures, we can help make the world a more peaceful place to live.

Appiah’s cosmopolitanism theory combines two inter-related strands. The first strand states our explicit duty to everyone that goes beyond our family traditions, and culture. This is a view of everyone on the planet, being not just a member of society, but also a citizen of the world. The second strand emphasizes our duty to value human lives. Appiah is not talking about keeping a human being alive with food, water, or medicine. He is stating that every person has specific practices and beliefs that make the individual significant, and that we should learn from these differences. Appiah believes that it is an obligation to understand those, with whom we share this planet. People are different, and there is much to learn from our differences.

According to Appiah, there are two main values of cosmopolitanism. One value is universal values, which are those that all cultures emphasize as important. The second value is to respect the differences of people because all cultures have their differences. The best way to do this, Appiah describes, is through conversation. It is impossible to say whose values are correct, or which values are better, so we should all talk about it, and try to understand. Since there are so many human similarities, and differences, we cannot expect everyone to agree on one single value. As Appiah mentions, “Whatever our obligations are to others (or theirs to us) they often have the right to go their own way” (p. xv).

Appiah shows us that we need to understand those who live in different parts of the world than us. A lot of issues in the world come from misunderstanding. Human are different. We have so much to learn from all these differences, and we need to explore every aspect of human possibilities.  One example of understanding human differences is the LGBT Gay Rights Movement. As citizens of the world, we have an obligation to understand that people are born differently. Homosexual, bisexual, and transgendered individuals have their rights to pursue their goals, as everyone else, and it should not take a Supreme Court decision to make it so. Appiah also gives an example by describing his childhood experiences in Kumasi, and the people he encountered, during that period of time. He is grateful that he met different people, and understands what they did. He gains knowledge from seeing the world from a different perceptive.

Appiah shows that by respecting values, we gain knowledge about the diversity of cultures in the world. We have to respect how people live, put human values above family values. A sense of value is not innate because culture has evolved to mold with the current world. An example that Appiah uses is explaining his childhood with his family background. Appiah’s father told Appiah, and his sister, that they are the citizens of the world, because they were raised with his father, and his mother, who lived in both England, and Ghana. This story is trying to tell about his culture, and sense of the importance of diversity in his life. Appiah’s parents would have taken the Syrian refugees in with open arms. The recent unrest in Syria is a good example of our duty to one another, as citizens of the world.  Many Syrian refugees travel great distances to seek help from other countries. There is great debate among those in the European Union, about whether or not to accept these refugees, due to economic concerns. If we did not see borders, and countries, but rather just people, and humans in need of help, we could create peace, and advancements. Some countries, like Sweden, are already on the right track, by offering permanent residency to Syrian refugees. While borders are not likely to go away soon, there are steps that countries can take to make everyone a citizen of the world.

Appiah explains that we alone have the power to make the world a peaceful place to live. If everyone could take seriously the differences in everyone else, respect those differences, and learn from them, there would be peace. One example is the immigration of Muslims into Western Europe. The Muslim community in Germany recently protested, during the world’s largest beer festival, and travelling funfair, called Oktoberfest.  Since alcohol is forbidden for Islam, Muslims immigrants think that alcohol consumption is an anti-Islamic event. If Muslim immigrants understand that Oktoberfest is part of German culture tradition, then there would be no friction. Another example is the tragedy of 9/11. Appiah explains that 9/11 is the division between “us,” and “them,” and this is what we take to be good in “our” way, or that is what they take to be good in “their” way.  The issue here is that the two opposing sides disagree, so strongly, on exactly what is good. Our way of life has its own values that conflict with the values that they have, and it is this conflict of values, as Appiah says, that creates world conflict.

Appiah’s theory of cosmopolitism shows us that we have a sense of obligation to people that we should be respectful about, and care for those, who are different from us so, that we may live together on this world in harmony. In my view, these two central ideas should exist, at the same time. Based on the interests, learning, and understanding, of other people’s lives, there will not be conflicts, and misunderstanding, between humankind. After we fulfill the individual concern of respect for the differences of others, we will move in to the next level of universal concern, which is to live together as a community peacefully, even though there is a lot of disagreement.

Works Cited

Appiah, K.A. Introduction: Making conversation. In Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a world of strangers. (pp. xi-xxi). New York: W.W. Norton, 2006.