和而不同: 多元文化共处的终极原则

21 世纪, 人类需要一个和生共存, 多元互补, 各美其美, 美人之美,各得其所的文化发展局面。文化的交往和汇流难免发生碰撞和冲突。怎样才能做到存差异, 求发展? 中国传统文化中的和而不同的观念可以为此提供非常有价值的资源。和而不同
的观念用在文化上就是要承认各种文化中的不同, 因为不同是文化发展的根本前提。但是, 不同并非互不相关, 孤立存在, 各不同之间, 须得用和加以协调, 方能在不同文化之间建立起一种和谐有益的关系,使各个不同的文化都能得到新的发展。

Harmony Upon Differences:Ultimate Principle for Multicultural Co-existence

In the 21st century, we need an environment for many cultures to exist peacefully together, comple -menting each other, perfecting each other and each being in its proper place. In the course of cul tural e xchange and confluence, there wil l unavoidably be collisions and conflicts between dif ferent coutures. How to lead to mul ticul tural development amid di fferences? The tradi tional Chinese concept of harmony upon dif ferencesmay provide a positive solution to this problem. This c oncept, when applied to the mat ter of culture, means that dif ferences in cul tures should be acknowledged, respected and maintained, for differences are the fundamental premise for any cul tural development . Di fferences, ho wever, do not mean non- related or isolated existence. They must be readjusted by harmony. Only in this way can a harmonious and cons truc t ive relationship be bui lt up between different cultures and can individual cul tures gain new progress.