Introduction
The first line of the book by James Lull “Culture-on-Demand” can be used in order to formulate the thesis of the present paper. He states: “You’ll have to forgive my optimism” (Lull x). The statement concerns the argument posed by the author in the book under consideration. Lull presents an optimist assertion that globalized communication and culture based on the development of communicational technologies are sufficient for the elimination of religious fundamentalism.
Argument Pro (philosophical): Culture is the expression of inner beauty that will save the world
The first supportive argument that can be drawn to prove Lulls argument is the critical situation in the world that demands interference and change. This explains the topicality and necessity of the author’s approach to cultural situation in the world. If the work is aimed at the solution of some problem, it means that it deserves attention. The approach offered by Lull is innovative and original; it has no analogue in the existing experience.
Argument Pro: Globalization is the means of improvement of living conditions of people
Secondly, globalization of communication as the basis of cultural development is natural process, not an artificial one imposed from outside. A famous statement by Fyodor Dostoevsky: “Beauty saves the world” (418) can be paraphrased in the following way: Culture through communication will save the world. Besides, a philosophic interpretation of Dostoyevsky’s “beauty” could be given since it does not mean physical beauty only. Thus, both statements seem unexpectedly related. Culture is the expression of inner beauty and it is necessary to develop it, especially if a modern author and Russian classic share common opinion.
Argument Pro: Communication is the natural process of uniting people
The advantages of globalization can be also used as a supportive argument of the author’s position. Though globalization is a controversial phenomenon that arouses heated discussion and opposition, it is difficult to turn a blind eye to its advantages. Among the most valuable ones, it is possible to mention “vital improvements in the human condition” concerning “the world’s poorest people” and their life according certain categories summarized by the author, such as “hunger, health, literacy, education, income, nutrition, women’s rights, life expectancy, infant mortality, transportation” (Lull 3). If it is possible to improve living conditions in the countries of the third world, it is unreasonable to reject globalization.
The author states that “expression is a primordial necessity” (Lull 25). It is really so, self-expression is necessary for every person to become a harmonious personality. An isolated person cannot be satisfied due to lack of interaction with other people. The establishment of communicative ties within a nation is rather easy due to territorial, traditional, and psychological affinity of people belonging to one nation. However, the difficulty arises when the abovementioned types of affinity are absent, when the matter concerns people from different cultures and countries. However, international communication promises cultural integration of people. Cultural interchange is a beneficial thing; it is hardly possible to find its disadvantages. Those who will acquaint themselves with foreign culture will get to know, love more and enrich their own culture as well.
Argument Pro: Religious fundamentalism needs elimination as it is an atrocity against humanity
Now it is necessary to present the argument against fundamentalism on the whole and religious fundamentalism in particular. Fundamentalism is “the most intractable obstacle to greater inter-civilizational tolerance and understanding” (Lull xii). It is definitely so as by definition fundamentalism is self-centered and closed for interference. People, who are the captives of Islamic fundamentalism, are deprived of modernity that is a usual thing for the rest of the world. It is necessary to set concrete examples showing the brutality of fundamentalism in religion. Lull mentions the case when three male Iraqi tennis players were killed by religious extremists for the fact that they wore short pants (Lull xii). Such cases as the rape of a woman that is the punishment for her family (Lull xv) are inhumane and can be considered atrocities. Faith cannot demand such violence, if it does, it needs reconsideration.
Argument Pro: Media and communicational technologies can ruin barriers between nations
Media and communicational technologies can be used as the means of ruining barriers between nations. Since we live in the world of high technologies, it would be unreasonable to resist the help they suggest to establish cultural ties between nations. Television and the Internet can be used as the bearers of culture. Their main advantage is adequacy of presentation of cultural material. Technologies can offer opportunity of multidimensional cultural exchange by means of visual and audio channels. Remote communication can simulate real communication successfully. Thus, media and technologies can help us to conquer distance. People in Islamic countries will start thinking about their life on a larger scale, in comparison with the life of people in democratic world. Technologies and media are able to sow doubt of reasonableness of fundamentalism by means of bright examples.
Argument Con: Elimination of religious ideology will deprive pious people of their rights
The opposing point of view according the argument is that elimination of religious ideology will deprive pious people of the thing that is precious for them. Still, Islamic fundamentalism resembles fascism and communism, a political ideology instead of religious ideology (Lull xix). If the primary function of faith is to give support and comfort to human soul, fundamentalism brings suffering and limitedness of freedom instead.
Argument Con: Globalization will give rise to islamization as well
One more opposing argument is uttered by the author himself: “media and cultural globalization facilitate both increased Westernization and increased Islamization” (Lull 131). Increased islamization can be dangerous for other nations. However, it is necessary to take measures of precaution against islamization beforehand that can be done by the use of the same means, such as media.
Works Cited
Dostoevsky, Fyodor M. The Idiot. Forgotten Books, 2008.
Lull, James. Culture-on-Demand: Communication in a Crisis World. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2007.