世界各地的人把他们当成世界中心，是相当自然的事。看来，种族中心主义是确定与维持人类族群的一般过程。所以说，每一个文化都有倾向于以该文化最注重的观点来批判其他文化，因而往往看到其他文化在该方面不足之处。承认种族中心主义的这个现实是迈向文化间良好沟通的第一步，而这沟通正是今日这个多元世界所迫切需要的。对本身文化的自豪感并不是一种罪过，但是否认其他文化的正当性却是。
我们也应该对本身文化的形成构造有很好的了解。要看一看我们所处的位子，我们应该站得远一点，好好地远观。
苏轼的诗‘题西林壁’就很好的阐述了这个精神。这首诗文字精炼而含蓄，可是哲理、脱俗精神与顿悟的感受甚远。它也显现了作者从各个角度的柔情观察。
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苏轼：题西林壁
横看成岭侧成峰，远近高低各不同。
不识庐山真面目，只缘身在此山中。
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It is natural that people all over the world see themselves at the centre of the world. Ethnocentralism seems to be a normal process of identifying and maintaining boundaries between human groups. It is therefore said that every culture has a tendency to judge other cultures from a point of view that it values the most, and to see other cultures as falling short of that respect.
Admitting the realty of ethnocentralism is the first step towards better intercultural communication, which is badly needed in today’s multicultural world. Being proud of one’s culture is not a sin, but denying the legitimacy of other cultures is.
One also needs to have a good understanding of one’s own cultural formation – and to see where one is, one must step aside far enough to get a good distanced view.
This spirit is encapsulated in Su Shi’s poem ‘Written on Wall of West Forest Temple’. With few words but extensive connotation, the poem is far reaching in the sense of admonishment, unconventional spirits and sudden enlightenment. It also demonstrates the author’s affectionate observation from all angles.
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Sushi: Written on wall of west forest temple
Sideways a mountain range, vertically a peak.
Far-near, soaring-crouching, never the same.
No way to know Mount Lushan’s true face
When you are in the middle of this mountain!
.
Note: Lushan is a beautiful mountain in China, where the river, lake and mountain integrate perfectly.
.
It is natural that people all over the world see themselves at the centre of the world. Ethnocentralism seems to be a normal process of identifying and maintaining boundaries between human groups. It is therefore said that every culture has a tendency to judge other cultures from a point of view that it values the most, and to see other cultures as falling short of that respect.
Admitting the realty of ethnocentralism is the first step towards better intercultural communication, which is badly needed in today’s multicultural world. Being proud of one’s culture is not a sin, but denying the legitimacy of other cultures is.
One also needs to have a good understanding of one’s own cultural formation – and to see where one is, one must step aside far enough to get a good distanced view.
This spirit is encapsulated in Su Shi’s poem ‘Written on Wall of West Forest Temple’. With few words but extensive connotation, the poem is far reaching in the sense of admonishment, unconventional spirits and sudden enlightenment. It also demonstrates the author’s affectionate observation from all angles.
.
Sushi: Written on wall of west forest temple
Sideways a mountain range, vertically a peak.
Far-near, soaring-crouching, never the same.
No way to know Mount Lushan’s true face
When you are in the middle of this mountain!
.
Note: Lushan is a beautiful mountain in China, where the river, lake and mountain integrate perfectly.
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