03儒家全球化与普遍主义理念.docVIP

Confucianism, Globalisation and the Idea of Universalism T. NUYEN Asian Philosophy, Vol. 13, Nos. 2/3, 2003 ABSTRACT The pace of globalisation has quickened considerably in the last ten to ?fteen years. The process has yielded bene?ts but also resulted in con?icts. The bene?ts would be enhanced if the con?icts could be resolved. One source of con?icts is the desire to maintain cultural identity. Can Confucianism contribute to the working out of a universal global justice that can help resolve con?icts, particularly con?icts of cultural identities? Can it be part of the globalisation process without sacri?cing its cultural identity? I argue that it can on both counts and thus it is neither a villain blocking the progress of universal justice, a necessary condition for con?ict-free globalisation, nor a helpless victim of that progress. The pace of globalisation has quickened considerably in the last 10–15 years, owing in part to changing economic and political forces, and in part to recent advances in computer and information technologies. The process of globalisation has certainly yielded considerable bene?ts, but it has also resulted in con?icts, some of which take the form of violent protests at international meetings. Protesters, naturally, draw attention to what they take to be the high costs of globalisation. Observers generally agree that the forces and technologies that have brought about the globalisation process are such that a slow down, let alone reversal, is ruled out. If this is true, it makes no sense trying to slow down the process, and worse sense to stop it. Whether or not this is true, the more sensible thing to do is to ensure that the bene?ts can be enhanced and enjoyed by as many people as possible, and the costs minimised. One distinct feature of globalisation is the move towards universalism: the world is increasingly moving towards universal technical formats and languages, universal procedures, universal rules and regulations. For supporters