Western Values Research Articles

The Impact of Intercultural Perspectives on Environmental Ethics

Intercultural environmental ethics is one of the most recent research projects to analyze a wide range of ethical issues arising from the multidisciplinary perspective of societies and cultures. Intercultural environmental ethics seeks to identify the existing different cultural, value beliefs, to define universal environmental ethical principles. Different cultures disagree on common universal moral decisions because they are based on unique worldviews and value systems, and there is no universally accepted epistemically sound way to resolve such moral disagreements. The question is, what are the basic assumptions underpinning the impact of intercultural ethics that would enable the common development and application of a system of universal environmental ethical principles in different regions and cultures of the world? The article hypothesizes that a synthesis of classical Aristotelian virtue ethics, Confucian ethics, and African ubuntu philosophical ethics could underpin intercultural ethics, embodying the universal environmental ethical values of Western and Eastern cultures in intercultural environmental ethics theory.

PRELIMINARY RESEARCH ON TOUCHPOINT METHOD TO ENGAGE CHINESE OLDER ADULTS IN PARTICIPATORY DESIGN ACTIVITIES

Abstract Collaborative engagement with older adults in design research activities is an effective and beneficial method for researchers to understand the needs of this demographic. Participatory design, originally proposed within Western value systems, faces challenges in application across different regions and cultural contexts, particularly in participatory design activities targeting older adults within the Chinese societal context. However, limited literature focuses on the methodologies of participatory design practices with older adults in non-Western countries. This study views the organizational process of participatory design activities as a form of service design research involving older adults, where design researchers serve as providers and older adults as the recipients of the service. Drawing upon service design thinking, this paper introduces the concept of ‘participation touchpoints’—moments within activities that encourage active involvement of older adults—to explore the interactions between participants and the organizers, procedures, and environments of activities. This approach aims to optimize the experience of older participants and enhance their engagement. Furthermore, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, we proposed a framework of participation touchpoints including attitude guidance, incentive motivation, and capability compensation. We evaluated this framework through a participatory design workshop with older adults and multiple stakeholders, focusing on the dynamic interactions among organizers, participants, and the activities themselves. This research endeavors to foster more effective collaboration with older adults in design research, aiming to develop a participatory design framework that ensures mutual empowerment for older adults and the research team.

Protocol to implement and evaluate a culturally secure, strength-based, equine-assisted learning program, "Yawardani Jan-ga" (horses helping), to support the social and emotional wellbeing of Australian aboriginal children and young people.

Australian Aboriginal people experience stressors from inequalities across crucial social determinants, including deep and entrenched disadvantage and exclusion. The impact of unaddressed historical issues is pervasive and intergenerational. The disproportionate rates of Aboriginal youth suicide, juvenile detention and imprisonment highlight the inadequacy of existing social and emotional wellbeing programs and services for Aboriginal children and young people. There is increasing recognition in Australia that aligning social and emotional wellbeing interventions with Western values and conceptions of mental health is one of the main barriers to service uptake among Aboriginal people. This suggests fundamental questions remain unanswered about what type of services effectively address the complex constellation of social-emotional and wellbeing challenges arising from intergenerational poverty and trauma. Yawardani Jan-ga is an Aboriginal-led, operated, culturally secure, Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) project designed by and with local Aboriginal young people, community Elders, members, and experts to address the complex constellation of social-emotional, spiritual and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal children and young people, aged 6-26 years, across multiple communities in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. EAL is a strengths-based learning approach where participants work with horses' inherent characteristics to learn transferable life skills, such as communication skills, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, to promote social and emotional growth and wellbeing. Although EAL has been previously used with Aboriginal children and young people internationally, they are yet to be widely used with Aboriginal people in Australia. Here, we describe the three subcomponents of the Yawardani Jan-ga implementation science project and the planned Participatory Action Research and phenomenological approaches to capture the distinctive experiences of participants and the local communities where the intervention is implemented. We anticipate that findings will build an evidence base that informs policy and practice by understanding key intervention elements of social and emotional wellbeing support for Aboriginal youth, how to incorporate Aboriginal worldviews across different stages of interventions, and how to capture impact best using culturally secure methods.

Rural Employment Problems in Ethiopia During the 1990s: A Critical Assessment

This paper is derived from the author’s study on rural employment problems in Ethiopia. The research was conducted in 1998 in two rural districts of Ethiopia: Alemaya Woreda, eastern Hararghe and Shirka Woreda, Aresi zones. The study employed qualitative methods of data collection and qualitative techniques of analysis. This paper argues that unemployment and underemployment in Ethiopia, as elsewhere in Africa and least developed countries, are the major factors for the country’s underdevelopment. Yet unemployment or underemployment rarely, if any, receives attention from policy/decision makers. The paper examines the root causes of unemployment and the resulting poverty and underdevelopment of the country. A combination of historical, cultural, and political forces kept Ethiopia, speaking economically, a backward country, even though it chose to embrace Western values and ideals since the turn of the 20th century. The introduction of modern money, the establishment of banks, schools, hospitals, communication and service facilities brought the traditional society into direct and indirect contact, albeit with a considerable degree of selectivity and re-interpretation, to Europe and America at the height of their industrial development. One hundred years or so later, however, the Ethiopian society is still overwhelmingly rural, and to use the more value-loaded term, traditional. Therefore, it is underlined that the project of modernity could but marginalize the Ethiopian populace, and directly or indirectly contributed to the problem of rural employment in the country. The paper then outlines the underlying macro and micro-level causes and consequences of rural employment constraints since employment is massively rural in Ethiopia. The problem of unemployment impinges upon the welfare of the nation. The final section summarizes the paper and forwards some key recommendations that are believed to alleviate rural poverty and generate rural employment. Although the paper focuses on the realities of the 1990s, the lessons reflected, and the recommendations suggested are believed to be relevant to the present and the future.

ANALYZING COLONIAL REMNANTS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INDONESIAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (1950–1980)

The Global South has always been a running contributor to the global inequality index, becoming a threat to international stability and sustainability. In most cases, it is found that colonial dependency is one major factor that causes this hindrance in development, leading to inequality. In its journey to independence, Indonesia had undergone a strict economic system under Dutch colonialism, and further transitioned to two different governing systems before its reformation, producing different outcomes of economic policy management and spread of inequality. Thus, this research wishes to understand the differences of economic system governance between the Soekarno and Soeharto era, and whether they possess any remnants of colonial dependency integrated within them. The Dependency Theory is used in this research with the concepts of postcolonialism, development, and inequality embedded into the discussions. The data of this research is gathered through academic literature, utilizing a qualitative approach, and is conducted with a descriptive and historical comparative approach. This research finds that Dutch colonialism contributed a major role in how Indonesia manages its economic strategies and how it impacts its high social and economic inequality. Further stretching to post-independence, it is found that Soekarno's decoupling of Western values translated worse into the economy, compared to Soeharto's Western-centric approaches to trade. The root causes of colonial dependencies and habits affect the outcome of economic habits, and thus contribute to the efficiencies of how Indonesia manages its economy during the period before reformation.

The Ideas of the May Fourth Movement and Their Critics

The article provides an analysis of the main ideas put forth by intellectual leaders of the May Fourth Movement, with a focus on the writings of Hu Shi and Chen Duxiu. These leaders advocated for China’s modernization, promoting the abandonment of traditional Chinese cultural values in favor of adopting European models of development. Their views gained significant influence among the Chinese intellectual elites of the time. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge the existence of dissenting voices who argued for the preservation of traditional Chinese culture and its values. Interestingly, some of these critics, such as Gu Hongming and Yan Fu, were highly educated in Western culture and science themselves. They presented alternative viewpoints that challenged the notion of Westernization as the only path to modernization. Gu Hongming, in particular, recognized the multifaceted nature of Western modernity and offered a comprehensive critique of Western civilization. This perspective resonated with other Chinese critics who believed that modernization should not be equated solely with the adoption of Western values and ideals.

Para além do feminismo ocidental hegemônico: movimentos sociais de mulheres muçulmanas, o caso da Turquia

This study investigates how the adoption of Western values ​​influenced women's movements in Türkiye. Turkey is a unique case study, due to its intense assimilation of Western and secular values ​​in the Republic's development process and women's struggles. Firstly, the movement of Turkish secular feminists stands out, which were strongly influenced by the political reforms of westernization, secularization and modernization of society. Secondly, Islamic feminism is presented. In the post-60s, in several Muslim-majority countries, there was the rise of a hybrid feminism, self-styled Islamic feminism, in which it seeks to reconcile feminist perspectives with the Islamic paradigm, from a non-orthodox, non-fundamentalist and non-traditional point of view, in favor of gender equality, modernity and seeking to suppress patriarchal readings about sources. Islamic feminism seeks to rescue religious principles that promote gender equality, reinterpreting sacred texts from the perspective of women's equality and rights.

"All That Glitters is Not Gold": Reflections on Javor Gardev's Production of William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" at The Bulgarian National Theatre

The article reviews Javor Gardev's recent production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice on the stage of the Bulgarian National Theatre in the context of the play's long debated generic ambiguity and the "unpleasant" issues it confronts. It argues that even though, due to good historical reasons, the issue of antisemitism has attracted most of the attention so far, the central "unpleasant" issue in the original text is patriarchalism and the inequality between men and women. The play and the production's divergent treatments of this issue are considered in the context of today's antifeminist backlash, as well as the more general tendency to withdraw from traditional Western values, such as democracy, freedom, human rights. The current global and locally Bulgarian perspectives are discussed in order to demonstrate the urgency of taking a clear stand in support of these values.

"All That Glitters is Not Gold": Reflections on Javor Gardev's Production of William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" at The Bulgarian National Theatre

The article reviews Javor Gardev's recent production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice on the stage of the Bulgarian National Theatre in the context of the play's long debated generic ambiguity and the "unpleasant" issues it confronts. It argues that even though, due to good historical reasons, the issue of antisemitism has attracted most of the attention so far, the central "unpleasant" issue in the original text is patriarchalism and the inequality between men and women. The play and the production's divergent treatments of this issue are considered in the context of today's antifeminist backlash, as well as the more general tendency to withdraw from traditional Western values, such as democracy, freedom, human rights. The current global and locally Bulgarian perspectives are discussed in order to demonstrate the urgency of taking a clear stand in support of these values.

Decolonizing AI ethics in Africa’s healthcare: An ethical perspective

AbstractOwing to the ethical tension between the ethics frameworks developed in the Global North and the African understanding of ethics, health, and care, decolonization can be a useful tool through which Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethics is understood and applied in Africa. While existing AI ethics frameworks often reflect Western values and perspectives like individuality, the African setting is still largely communalist. Thus, the current frameworks, developed in the Global North, need to be interpreted in the African context to represent the values of people in Africa. It is then that they will be suitable for addressing the healthcare challenges in Africa today. Challenges like resource constraints, coloniality and the paternalism of the Global North toward the Global South have put Africa at the periphery of the AI Ethics debate. This article discusses the need to “decolonize” AI ethics to ensure just, equitable, and inclusive AI in healthcare in Africa. It critiques the current ethical frameworks largely developed from the Global North in shaping ethical AI development in Africa, calling for the decolonization of ethical principles. The paper discusses key considerations for a decolonized approach in healthcare and proposes key principles that can ensure an approach rooted in African contexts and values.

More than software vendors. The peculiar case of Palantir’s data integration platforms

ABSTRACT As digital platforms are increasingly incorporated within the digital apparatus of states in Europe, platformisation (Poell, T., Nieborg, D., & van Dijck, J. (2019). Platformisation. Internet Policy Review, 8(4), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.14763/2019.4.1425; van Dijck, J., Poell, T., & de Waal, M. (2018). The platform society: Public values in a connective world. Oxford University Press.) needs to be analysed in further detail with reference to both the specificities of the field that is affected (Seibt, D. (2024). Platform organizations and fields: Exploring the influence of field conditions on platformization processes. Critical Sociology, 50(7-8), 1323–1342. https://doi.org/10.1177/08969205231221444), but also the practices of the companies that provide the platforms. This paper, in line with the special issue's focus of data integration and analysis platforms, maintains a two-fold focus on the US-based company Palantir. On the one hand, the paper critically discusses the company's discursive and material practices. Said practices include the construction of a company profile as a supporter and protector of Western values and the provision of their product for “free” for short periods, which both function as an effective entry strategy into sensitive state-run institutions, which are in principle highly regulated (Ozalp, H., Ozcan, P., Dinckol, D., Zachariadis, M., & Gawer, A. (2022). “Digital colonization” of highly regulated industries: An analysis of big tech platforms' entry into health care and education. California Management Review, 64(4), 78–107. https://doi.org/10.1177/00081256221094307). On the other hand, the paper seeks to position data integration platforms in the platformisation discussion, with reference to their peculiar characteristics. Finally, the paper seeks to contribute into a finer breakdown of what is often referred to as “Big Tech” into singular actors, with differentiated practices and strategies on their transformation into quasi-public actors (Taylor, L. (2021). Public actors without public values: Legitimacy, domination and the regulation of the technology sector. Philosophy & Technology, 34(4), 897–922. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-020-00441-4).

Bildung as an updated – not outdated – tradition when becoming a teacher

This essay emphasizes the essential aspects of becoming a teacher in everyday practice. Currently, neoliberal ideals and evidence-based practices significantly influence teacher education. However, several decades ago, the concept of Bildung was a predominant principle. This paper presents five approaches to Bildung in relation to education, highlighting discernible differences. For instance, critical Bildung addresses issues related to colonial patterns and global ecological thinking, whereas traditional concepts of Bildung largely reflect traditional Western values. In discussions with 22 colleagues, all of whom are university teachers involved in teacher education, it became apparent that most did not explicitly differentiate between their personal experiences as students or teachers, which involve their ingrained personal values from which some mirrors the concept of Bildung. Revisiting Bildung as a core concept in teacher education necessitates a serious discourse on human growth and development. This includes discussions on viewing learning as a lifelong pursuit versus the achievement of specific objectives, and the advantages and disadvantages of short courses versus comprehensive education and training. For example, this approach may allow some teacher educators to accompany a cohort of students throughout their educational journey.

Fears about artificial intelligence across 20 countries and six domains of application.

The frontier of artificial intelligence (AI) is constantly moving, raising fears and concerns whenever AI is deployed in a new occupation. Some of these fears are legitimate and should be addressed by AI developers-but others may result from psychological barriers, suppressing the uptake of a beneficial technology. Here, we show that country-level variations across occupations can be predicted by a psychological model at the individual level. Individual fears of AI in a given occupation are associated with the mismatch between psychological traits people deem necessary for an occupation and perceived potential of AI to possess these traits. Country-level variations can then be predicted by the joint cultural variations in psychological requirements and AI potential. We validated this preregistered prediction for six occupations (doctors, judges, managers, care workers, religious workers, and journalists) on a representative sample of 500 participants from each of 20 countries (total N = 10,000). Our findings may help develop best practices for designing and communicating about AI in a principled yet culturally sensitive way, avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches centered on Western values and perceptions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Słowianie jako INNI Europejczycy. Egzostereotypy Słowian i wartości słowiańskich w opinii zagranicznych studentów krakowskiej europeistyki

SLAVS AS THE OTHER EUROPEANS. SLAVIC EXO-STEREOTYPES AND VALUES IN THE EYES OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OF EUROPEAN STUDIES IN KRAKÓW Slavs make an important ethnographic metacategory, pointing the largest ethnolinguistic group in ethnos-rich Europe. The cultural identity of the Slavs is a mosaic of many communities, historically linked to territories from Moscow in the east to Cologne in the west, and from Danzig to Athens. In modern Europe, however, Slavicness has lost its political significance and has moved to the background of European identities. At the same time, proto-Slavic themes do not cease to be the subject of reconstructions and romantic stylisations, and proto- Slavic beliefs and customs provide further inspiration for pop-cultural productions. The text describes the results of a survey of international students in European Studies. The analysis is based on a questionnaire (20 respondents) and 2 focus interviews, conducted with 2 groups of the youngest and the most senior students. The surveyed students mostly represent cultural models belonging to the broadly defined circle of Western values. The aim of the analysis was to reconstruct the identity of Slavs as seen from the outside, as well as to reconstruct the proportion between common, stereotypical beliefs and scientific knowledge among students of European Studies.

International Media Analysis: Critical Analysis Comparing News Reports in Listed West/South Digital Media

This paper delves into the narrative perspectives of Western and Southern media in news reporting on four themes: war, culture, politics, and Olympic sports. The study reveals that Western media (such as BBC and CNN) tend to adopt narratives that align with the Global News Flow theory and the framework of cultural imperialism, emphasizing individual suffering, the consequences of political and military actions, and the global influence of Western values and innovations. In contrast, Southern media (such as CGTN, Al Jazeera, and WION) actively challenge the dominance of Western mainstream narratives by focusing on local perspectives and realities, employing de-Westernized news narratives. They seek to alter the narrative structure of international news and highlight the development achievements and contributions of Southern countries in culture, sports, and other fields. These counter-narratives align with post-colonial journalism theory, offering potential pathways for Southern countries to gain more voice and challenge Western hegemony in the international news domain. This study contributes to uncovering power dynamics in global news reporting and provides insights for addressing cultural hegemony.

A Far Cry for Enlightenment: Power Shapes Perception in Joseph Conrad’s <i>Heart of Darkness</i>

Joseph Conrad is celebrated for his profound portrayals of postcolonial experiences. His<i> Heart of Darkness </i>reveals how the power dynamics shape the perceptions of enlightenment. This research sheds lights on the binary oppositions inherent in British colonialism which erodes the established norms and enlightening ideals. Colonialism has created a detrimental impact on modern humanity, fostering detachment, loss of faith, existential turmoil, and the disintegration of social structures. Conrad’s depiction of Africa underscores the harsh reality of unconscious fears and deep-seated anxieties projected by English interference which stifles African autonomy. Through the dual lenses of Edward Said’s postcolonial theory and Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis, the research, explores the decline of western values critically addressing the colonial mindset and interrogating European civilization’s alleged superiority. The research investigates how the imposition of power dynamics reshapes Europeans’ perceptions of indigenous African population exposing the civilizing mission as a façade for hypocrisy and brutality under the pretense of moral edification. The findings offer significant insights into Conrad’s enduring influence and persistent resonance with contemporary literary enthusiasts.

A POSSIBLE SOLUTION FOR THE DEMOGRAPHIC WINTER: RAISING MANY CHILDREN AS A JOB

Public concern about population growth has persisted since Malthus. However, the situation is gradually changing. The pandemic-like spread of population decline is reversing this global trend. Human population growth is expected to halt at 10.4 billion in the second half of the 21st century, marking the era of global population decline. Global fertility rates are falling continuously. This trend benefits high-fertility regions such as Africa and West Asia but poses significant challenges in low-fertility regions like Europe, North America, and East Asia. Today, the developed world faces a new and serious problem: demographic winter, leading to issues such as an ageing population, a decreasing number of women of childbearing age, rising dependency ratios, and demographic decline. Addressing these demographic challenges requires new approaches and measures. Current pronatalist policies that encourage 2-3 children per family are insufficient. This study proposes the introduction of a radical pronatalist institution: full-time motherhood. This initiative aims to employ voluntary couples and mothers willing to have 5 or more children per family. It is the best way to achieve replacement-level (2.1) fertility. This pronatalist solution is efficient and aligns with Western values, being voluntary, free, and democratic.

Research on the Influencing Factors of Second-Generation Chinese Cognitive Construction from the Perspective of Identity

Abstract: The cognitive construction issues of second-generation Chinese immigrants have received widespread attention, but there is still a lack of analysis from the perspective of identity recognition. This article analyzes the influencing factors of cognitive construction for second-generation Chinese immigrants from the viewpoint of identity recognition. This article analyzes how the cognitive construction and social concepts of second-generation Chinese immigrants are related to language and education. Based on this, there are some suggestions in the article. First, achieve the formation of diverse concepts among the second generation of Chinese descendants through family education. Second, from an individual perspective, making a balance between Eastern and Western values to form suitable values. Finally, respecting the cultures of various countries and integrating into mainstream society. Through these analyses and recommendations, it can gain a deeper understanding of the cognitive construction problems faced by second-generation Chinese immigrants and find effective solutions to promote their identity recognition and social integration.

Metaphorical framing of political events through ENTERTAINMENT scenarios

Abstract The article sets out to examine the entertainment source domain and its scenarios as realised in the media discourse surrounding political events in Belarus in 2021. Metaphorical scenarios are investigated considering different viewpoints, such as those presented in Lithuanian, German, and Russian media. The methodological framework is a blend of Cognitive Linguistics and Critical Discourse Studies, embracing the viewpoint (Sweetser, 2012), Critical Metaphor Analysis (Charteris-Black, 2005), metaphorical scenarios (Musolff, 2016), and framing (Hart, 2014). The results demonstrate that the entertainment domain acquires multiple scenarios depending on the viewpoint. The evaluation attached to the scenarios is mostly negative; however, the viewpoint adopted in Lithuanian and German discourses is very different from Russian discourse. The former is based on Western values and targets the authoritarian regime, whereas the latter is Russian-centric, with the Western world posited as a major threat to the Belarusian and Russian societies.

Guns, Thorns, and Zeal: Popular Depictions of a Kombative Christ

What are the political, gender, and theological implications at stake when associating Jesus with modern combat and righteous violence? Jesus is rendered in combative form across media—i.e., live-action films and shorts, animated television, sketch comedy, graphic novels, and video games. This rendition occurs at a confluence of meaning, most immediately for the sake of generating comedy through juxtaposition (in this case, rendering the meek with a sword) and/or reaffirming Jesus’ prominent cultural value through an association with other popularly mediatized entities. Beyond these initial layers of significance, however, I argue that Jesus becomes associated with violence and brutality for the sake of de/legitimizing politically conservative ideologies with respect to Christianity and American exceptionalism, redeeming the crisis of “domesticated masculinity” and fortifying traditional masculine norms, and theologically reinstituting popular paradigms of low Christology. Ideological “manhood” remains traced to one’s ability to perform traditional gender roles (i.e., family provider, community protector, and father/procreator). To capture the discrepancy that Jesus of Nazareth, as presented in canonical gospels, largely concerns none of these roles, I analyze the hypermasculine Christ, and the various weapons he employs, as part of a popular genealogy of Western value systems and discourse. Though in this article I reference some examples of non-American media, I reserve my analysis and commentary for the stakes and implications of what it means for U.S. Americans to produce and consume such content. In short, I submit that popular America idolizes itself in the form—one amidst many—of a naïve, combative, and boorish Christ: an arrogant and, at times, narcissistic man with delusional views of the world made dangerous through invasive power and authority. Western entertainment has deemed the United States (through its fictional stand-ins) as morally failing yet still chosen. Within this logic, American Christians need not reform their ways as long as they cultivate evidence of their exceptionalism.