ABSTRACT
In this closing chapter, Tu Weiming addresses two compelling forces influencing the dilemmas of the human condition, namely, globalization and localization in a similar way as discussed by Tehranian (Chapter 27). He makes explicit that globalization is not homogenization and paradoxically heightens and accentuates local awareness. It is his contention that we must take seriously the presence of primordial ties (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, language, land, age, and faith) that make us concrete human beings in the process of globalization. He maintains that it is only through genuine dialogue as mutual learning that we will be able to achieve unity in diversity and build an integrated global community. For him, humanity, reciprocity, and trust constitute the common ground on which global ethics can be explored. He delineates four sets of fundamental ethical principles based on these four themes: (1) liberty/justice, (2) rationality/sympathy, (3) legality/civility, and (4) rights/responsibility. Tu concludes his superb essay by underlining the importance of the art of listening and face-to-face communication as indispensable ways of accessing the cumulative wisdom of the elders and learning to be fully human through character building.
