Pluralist Theory Research Articles

Exploring Individual Spiritual Compatibility in Search for Divine Encounter: A Phenomenological Perspective on Religious Pluralism. 'Phenomenological Pluralism' theory (PP).02

Phenomenological Pluralism (PP) introduces a groundbreaking approach to understanding religious pluralism by emphasizing the unique, irreducible nature of each individual's Personal Experience of the Divine (ExPD). PP challenges the traditional view of religious universality by arguing that spiritual encounters are shaped by the compatibility between the individual and their religious context. Unlike other theories that attempt to find common ground among religions or emphasize doctrinal differences, PP promotes an open dialogue where every religious tradition is valid based on its ability to offer an authentic spiritual experience. The PP theory highlights that ExPD can occur within any tradition that resonates with the individual's existential structure, transcending rigid religious boundaries. PP also addresses concerns over syncretism, illustrating how religious founders often incorporated elements from previous traditions to foster deeper spiritual engagement. This perspective encourages interfaith dialogue focused on empathy and mutual understanding, rejecting competition and emphasizing cooperation. PP thus offers a dynamic and flexible framework for addressing the complexities of religious experience in a globalized world. This article also reviews the main differences between PP and the other two previously recognized theories of religious pluralism, John Hick's and Diana Eck's, recognizing the utility of each in building consistent interreligious dialogue.

A critical examination of industrial conflict in labour- management relations

The paper examines the occurrence of industrial conflict between labour unions and management in the workplace. The inevitability of conflict stems from the economic interest both parties want to satisfy at any point in time in their work relations which are at variance. The economic interest of both parties is inversely related and this will always reinforce disharmony of interest in the workplace. The theoretical analysis focused on conflict theory by Karl Marx and theory of industrial pluralism by Sidney and Beatrice Webb. Essentially, causes of industrial conflict was brought to the fore, its consequences and resolution mechanism were expatiated. Views of various schools of thought on conflict were examined together with functional and dysfunctional aspects of industrial conflict. Suggested measures to manage effectively the emergence of workplace conflict were also discussed. The study concluded that industrial conflict has become a recurring decimal in labour–management relations, however, the suggested measures to reduce and manage the preponderance of conflict should be followed in order to enhance workplace peace and harmonious labour management relations.

A case for democratic pluralism instead of democratic minimalism

This paper proposes a theory of democratic pluralism instead of democratic minimalism developed by Shadi Hamid in his book “The Problem of Democracy”. Democratic pluralism will leverage pluralism to create a possibility for reconciliation between liberalism, secularism, religion, and democracy. It presents a framework of democratic pluralism based on four key elements: (1) a conception of democracy that includes performance and political action in the public sphere beyond electoral participation; (2) recognition of diversity and intercultural dialog, alongside the agonistic dimension of pluralism; (3) moderation of individual autonomy and identity politics; and (4) pluralistic accommodation of religion. The paper critiques Hamid’s monolithic notions of liberalism, secularism, and democracy, suggesting that more nuanced approaches to these concepts are necessary. It contends that rather than abandoning liberalism and secularism, exploring compatible versions of liberalism and Islam within a pluralistic framework offers a more promising path for reforming religion and polity in the Muslim world.

Exploring the Relationship between Dispute Resolution and Organizational Performance: An Empirical Study on the Impact of Communication Climate

Ineffective communication is a dominant source of instability and significant worker dissatisfaction in the manufacturing industry, including the readymade clothing sector. Workers’ dissatisfaction at the workplace creates labor unrest. Consequently, productivity may be significantly affected by labor unrest, which is an inevitable component of any industrial operation. A harmonious work environment, free from conflicts among employees, should be a focus for every successful organization. This research suggests that the communication climate be implemented as a resolution technique for workplace disputes. Data was collected through structured questionnaire surveys and random sampling in this quantitative research. Data was obtained from the readymade garment factories in Bangladesh. One hundred twenty employees participated in the survey. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. According to the research, the primary cause of poor business performance at the workplace in the sector is due to inadequate communication. Additionally, the investigation assessed the industry's employees' perspectives regarding the advantages of communication climate in dispute resolution. This study finds a positive correlation between dispute resolution techniques and the communication climate. Pluralist theory served as the theoretical foundation for the investigation in order to substantiate the notion that it provides resources such as knowledge, constructive criticism, and opportunities for growth of the sector.

Reexamining the Relationships of Religious Communities and the Public University: A Call-Back to Two Previous Scholars’ Responses With New Lenses

Higher education in the 2020s remains deeply divided on the role of religion, or what the Council on the Advancement of Standards (CAS) in 2023 describes as “religious, secular, and spiritual identities.” In two previous articles in this Journal, one 2010 article by the late Peter Magolda and one in 2014 by Perry Glanzer, detail the ways in which students and the student groups themselves should be considered in relationship with their institutions. However, ten years after those arguments, questions of how religious leadership should relate to and interact with the institution still remain. The ways in which institutions are utilizing critical religious pluralism theory are at the forefront of three relationship-minded considerations the authors wish to highlight. Initially, understanding the relationships requires reexamination of the ways interpretations of the First Amendment affect public and the private university settings for religious life. This article explores the relevance of professionalizing the relationship between religious leaders and the institution, the ways in which such a relationship can support stability of the religious communities themselves, and the importance of progressive Christian groups as a part of a more religiously diverse campus’s pluralistic religious and spiritual ethos. The gaps in Magolda and Glanzer’s arguments, plus the emergence of critical religious pluralism theory, offers new opportunities to consider higher education policies and practices related to “religious, secular, and spiritual” identities.

Making Sense of Early Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava Mystical Theology: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of History and Mysticism

Jīva Gosvāmin (16th-17th c.), one of the most important of the early Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava theologians, argues for a unique theory of mystical pluralism that shares critical parallels with the highly influential constructivist thesis advanced by Steven Katz, albeit separated by more than four hundred years. These parallels suggest a shared insight into the cognitive dynamics underpinning mystical experiences, which research on cognition and learning, conceptual processing, and perception helps explain. These researches suggest the practices with which Jīva is concerned serve as learning strategies that help one increasingly learn and internalize a particular conception of divine reality, what it is like to experience it, and an expectation that one will experience it. As these become increasingly internalized, they influence one’s perceptions and experiences relative to what one has learned, creating favorable conditions for the emergence of experiences that reflect, at least to some extent, what one expects to experience.

The Metaphysics of Religious Diversity: From Homogenizing Theological Agendas to Conceptual Justice

An increasing number of voices have been calling for philosophy of religion to expand beyond a preoccupation with the “rationality of theism.” Religious pluralist theories of religious diversity might be expected to exemplify a broader scope; in practice, however, such theories are often hampered by theological agendas that prioritize convergence over attention to differences. Focusing on approaches to the metaphysics of religious diversity, this article distinguishes between (a) approaches that prioritize the discovery of the fundamental truth behind specific forms of metaphysical belief and (b) approaches that foreground the variety of metaphysical beliefs held by diverse religious communities. Although these approaches need not be incompatible, the former is apt to emphasize homogeneity whereas the latter encourages awareness of nuance and variegation. Taking diversity among Hindu conceptions of the divine as a case in point, the article seeks to make conceptual space for a philosophy of religious diversity that is radically pluralist and critically descriptive.

On the necessity of a pluralist theory of reparations for historical injustice

Abstract Philosophers have offered many arguments to explain why historical injustices require reparations. This paper raises an unnoticed challenge for almost all of them. Most theories of reparations attempt to meet two intuitions: (1) reparations are owed for a past wrong and (2) the content of reparations must reflect the historical injustice. I argue that necessarily no monistic theory can meet both intuitions. I do this by showing that any theory that can meet intuition (1) necessarily cannot also meet intuition (2). This result suggests that a theory of reparations must either sacrifice one of the two intuitions or be pluralist. I argue that we ought to prefer the pluralist theory over the monistic theory. I sketch the pluralist theory, and I defend it by considering an objection about the way it can resolve conflicts.

The Unregistered Child Marriage on Lumbang Society Norm Perspective Legal Pluralism

Unregistered child marriage has become a custom in the Lumbang community. Nevertheless, the Lumbang community registered their marriage with the State when they had children. The existence of this phenomenon shows that the Lumbang community adopts more than one norm regarding child marriage. This article will reflect on the legal practices in the Lumbang community regarding child marriage. This article is an empirical legal research with a legal anthropology approach. This article uses John Griffith's theory of legal pluralism as a means of uncovering the facts of legal practice in the Lumbang community. This research shows that legal pluralism occurs strongly in the practice of unregistered child marriage in Lumbang. The practice of strong legal pluralism occurs through the incorporation of religion-adult law, State-adult law, and the distinction of State-adult law. The community conducts unregistered child marriage as a convergence of customary-religious norms as well as divergence of norms due to restrictions on the minimum age of marriage by the State. Then, the State will register the marriage when they have children as a form of convergence of State-adult norms.

Немецкий подход к гарантированию плюрализма в сфере массовой коммуникации

Using the political and philosophical context, the article analyzes the German model of guaranteeing pluralism in the field of mass communication, the core of which is formed by the communication rights of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany, which have undergone a deep reinterpretation by the Federal Constitutional Court. Starting from the abstract politico-philosophical value of pluralism as the foundation of German democratic theory, its path is traced through its integration with general constitutional and legal principles. This integration leads to the concretization of pluralism in the communication sphere as specific regulatory provisions within constitutionalized ordinary legislation. Through the examination, the article highlights the key parameters of this model that correspond to the pluralistic theory of democracy. These parameters determine the logic of constitutional-legal regulation in the German communication sphere and influence the doctrinal aspects of fundamental rights.

Harmonization of State, Custom, and Islamic Law in Aceh: Perspective of Legal Pluralism

Indonesia recognizes several legal systems i.e., state law, customary law, Islamic law, and international law. Islamic sharia in Aceh is part of legal pluralism in Indonesia. This study aims to discuss the application of Islamic sharia from the perspective of legal pluralism. This normative legal study employed a legal pluralism theory analysis. Legal pluralism is a theory that views law not only as positive or written law made by the state but also as a recognition of the legal reality that exists in a pluralistic society. The study collected data by means of a literature review. Findings revealed that Islamic sharia in Aceh as part of the recognition of the concept of legal pluralism has been implemented well in the context of state law, custom, and Islamic law. The state has provided juridical legitimacy through laws in the context of legal substance and judicial institutions or sharia courts. Likewise, revitalization has also occurred in traditional institutions in terms of customary law and customary justice. The argument emphasized in this study is that Islamic sharia in the context of legal pluralism has succeeded in manifesting legal harmonization between the state, custom, and Islamic law

Power and the Messiness of Discrimination Law: Reflections on the Role of Power in Sophia Moreau's Faces of Inequality

AbstractMonism and pluralism are not only used to describe the ways in which international law becomes part of a domestic legal system but can also be applied to scholarship that seeks to explain the messiness of discrimination. According to Sophia Moreau's pluralist theory, the wrongfulness of discrimination can be summarized as three types of treatment: subordination, restriction, and exclusion. In this contribution, I will explore the role that power plays in her theory; while power is explicitly discussed in relation to subordination, it is less apparent from restriction and exclusion. However, as I will argue, power is a crucial element underpinning all forms of discrimination and all protected grounds.

Pluralist Theories of Wrongful Discrimination

AbstractIn Faces of Inequality, Sophia Moreau offers a pluralist theory of discrimination, according to which discriminatory conduct involves one or more of (at least) three types of wrong. She claims, further, that each of these wrongs represents a failure to treat some people as the equal of others. I argue that this further claim is mistaken. I also suggest that there may be no need for a pluralist theory of discrimination to identify a property that is shared by the different types of wrong recognised by the theory (beyond the fact that each is present in cases of wrongful discrimination).

Faces of Inequality: Reflections on Exceptional Developments

AbstractIn Faces of Inequality, Sophia Moreau puts forward a pluralistic theory of how discrimination wrongs people. I approach Moreau's ideas not as a legal philosopher or theorist, but as an empirical and socio-legal scholar of equality law. In this commentary, I pick up on five provocations that emerge for me from Moreau's work: on reasonable accommodations, on comparison in equality law, on the public/private divide, on the justification of discrimination, and on discrimination as a personal wrong. While Moreau's work is grounded in the common themes or shared features that emerge from equality laws across jurisdictions, I consider what these themes mean for the uncommon ground, drawing on exceptional developments in discrimination law in some Australian jurisdictions, and our experience with the “exceptional” protected characteristic of age.

ADOLF BIBIČ’S INNOVATIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE MARXIST CONCEPTUALISATION OF POLITICS

Abstract. The article analyses the innovative Marxist conceptualisation of politics proposed by the Slovenian political scientist Adolf Bibič. The latter built on the contributions of Heglo-Marxists and Gramsci to political theory. At the core of his theory, he placed the question of the political power–class exploitation relationship. He distinguished political politics from self-managing politics, and problematised the dominant Western understandings of politics as well as the theories of elitism and pluralism. Moving away from such theories and dogmatic Marxist notions about the withering away of politics, he formulated his project of humanising politics beyond class exploitation and capitalist relations of production. This project assumed a necessary transformation of political practice in terms of the dialectical process of the socialisation of politics and the politicisation of society. Keywords: Adolf Bibič, politics, political science, class relations, economic exploitation.

Included, but how? A critical investigation into elementary social studies standards about religion

ABSTRACT Teaching about religion in public schools is a complicated and nuanced topic. Though religious illiteracy has been named as a widespread concern throughout the United States, little research has been conducted that critically analyzes what teachers are asked to cover. Preservice teachers often confess they do not understand what they are and are not allowed to say about religion, and many teachers choose to ignore teaching about religion at all. In this study, I conducted a critical content analysis of elementary standards about religion included in the state social studies standards documents for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Then, using critical religious pluralism theory, I investigated the standards based on the inclusion of religious groups in curriculum content, as well as the extent to which this inclusion demonstrates challenges related to inclusion in curricula. Finally, I critically interrogated the ideology of the standards and made suggestions for how teachers and teacher educators can advocate for the inclusion of religion in elementary social studies.

The Perceived Role of Non-Elected Actors in Community Power Structure in Poland: Results of a Survey Experiment

Administrative decisions can be influenced not only by policies formulated by elected representatives but also by various external actors. From classic elitist and pluralist theories of community power to urban regime and network governance concepts, academic studies tell us that several institutional and individual actors with no electoral democratic legitimacy may have a significant impact on local government decision-making. In our paper, we ask the question who they are in contemporary Polish cities. Are there any systematic regularities in this respect concerning e.g. how they differ depending on the size of the local community? In this paper we look at the phenomenon through the lens of citizens’ perception of the influence on important administrative decisions made in local governments. In this research, we also check whether the style of local political leadership perceived by citizens is reflected in their expectations toward the propensity of local authorities to consider the opinions. Data is collected through a survey conducted on a representative sample of 2,000 Polish citizens who were asked about their perception of the impact of various business and societal actors. The study uses the survey experiment method in which various formulations of the question are randomly assigned to individual respondents, which allows us to measure the perceived influence of individual types of actors. Referring to the recent debate on the limitation of the applicability of regime theory to large cities only, we place a special attention to the impact of city size on the role of big and small businesses as well as various societal organizations.

Role of Religion and Secularism in Shaping Social Values, Norms and Identities in Various Societies and Communities in Egypt

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate role of religion and secularism in shaping social values, norms, and identities in various societies and communities in Egypt.
 Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
 Findings: Religion, especially Islam, has historically been a significant influence on social values and norms in Egypt. The government has also played a role in promoting conservative religious interpretations. Egypt's religious diversity and evolving social movements have contributed to a dynamic environment where religion and secularism intersect in shaping societal identities and values.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social identity theory & secularization theory& religious pluralism theory may be used to anchor future studies on role of religion and secularism in shaping social values, norms, and identities in various societies and communities in Egypt. Encourage interfaith dialogue and initiatives that foster mutual understanding and respect among religious and secular communities. Develop and implement policies that safeguard religious freedom and secularism as fundamental human rights.

Dynamics of Cultural Diversity and Intercultural Communication in the Era of Multiculturalism and Cosmopolitanism in Brazil

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate dynamics of cultural diversity and intercultural communication in the era of multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism
 Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
 Findings: Brazil showcases a vibrant blend of cultural diversity and cosmopolitanism, where various traditions coexist. While cosmopolitanism fosters openness to global perspectives, social and economic inequalities persist, impacting access to opportunities. Ethnic and racial tensions remain, particularly affecting marginalized communities. In summary, Brazil's multicultural landscape presents a dynamic mix of cultural influences, but challenges related to inequality and cultural identity preservation persist.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Cultural pluralism theory, cosmopolitanism theory & contact theory may be used to anchor future studies on dynamics of cultural diversity and intercultural communication in the era of multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism. Organizations, educational institutions, and community programs should prioritize intercultural competence training. Advocate for multicultural policies that recognize and celebrate cultural diversity within societies.

Religious and Cultural Diversity: The Chinese Village Community of Padang City

Kampung Cina is known as an area with cultural and religious diversity in carrying out daily life activities. This diversity certainly has differences in life. The purpose of this research is to analyze the diversity of religion and culture in the community in Kampung Cina in Padang City. Theoretical analysis uses pluralism theory or interculturalism theory. Pluralism theory highlights the existence of diverse beliefs and values in society that coexist harmoniously, while interculturalism theory emphasizes the importance of intercultural interaction and exchange to create better understanding among different groups. This research uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive research type. Data collection methods were carried out in three stages, namely participant observation, in-depth interviews and document studies. Data analysis used the Milles and Huberman analysis model. The results of this study indicate that the people of Kampung Cina Padang City live side by side and do not cause conflict. The attitude of tolerance between religions and cultures is very strong and creates a harmonious life. In addition, people live in harmony with each other and have an attitude of mutual respect and appreciation