Given that most of its functions are obsolete and superfluous, why do humans feel the need to perpetuate it?
I'm with @Agustino. Stability of human institutions. Maintenance of human relationships. Restrictions can be frustrating, unfair, and even harmful, but life is full of restrictions. Another benefit - with tradition, we don't have to recreate the rules every time. They are laid and, we hope, understandable.
CuddlyHedgehogMarch 17, 2018 at 16:25#1630290 likes
Just to play devil's advocate, although I agree that saying most of tradition is superfluous will require quite some weight of evidence to convince me, anthropologist Clive Finlayson has described in human prehistory one of my favourite social theories. Society is divided into conservatives and innovators. In times of stability, conservatives dominate and innovators are marginalised, nothing needs to change, and conservatism is easier than innovation (takes less brain energy and it is less risky). When the environment is changing, however, innovators dominate. It is at these times tradition may well be thrown out of the window.
CuddlyHedgehogMarch 17, 2018 at 16:28#1630320 likes
Reply to T Clark Don't we then sacrifice creativity and individualism for the sake of social conformity and acceptance?
Don't we then sacrifice creativity and individualism for the sake of social conformity and acceptance?
Instead of "conformity and acceptance" I could say "continuity and social cohesion." Instead of "creativity and individualism" I might say "lack of standards and selfish narcissism." I acknowledge there are trade-offs. I didn't say tradition should be blindly followed. I only said that it is important, which is the topic of this discussion.
CuddlyHedgehogMarch 17, 2018 at 17:04#1630500 likes
Reply to T Clark Please elaborate on how you associate creativity with lack of standards and individualism with selfish narcissism. Harsh and inaccurate representation of both in my opinion.
Please elaborate on how you associate creativity with lack of standards and individualism with selfish narcissism. Harsh and inaccurate representation of both in my opinion.
I was making a point. You made a "harsh and inaccurate" representation of tradition. I pointed out that one could make a similar representation about individualism and creativity. I don't think my hypothetical representations are any less, or any more, accurate than yours are.
CuddlyHedgehogMarch 17, 2018 at 17:12#1630540 likes
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CuddlyHedgehogMarch 17, 2018 at 17:31#1630630 likes
Reply to T Clark A large proportion of tradition consists of ritualistic and ethnically idiosyncratiocratic routines that serve no practical purpose. They are merely a lazy, mindless, unquestioned adoption of regurgitated beliefs and conventions that get in the way of free thinking and innovation.
A large proportion of tradition consists of ritualistic and ethnically idiosyncratiocratic routines that serve no practical purpose. They are merely a lazy, mindless, unquestioned adoption of regurgitated beliefs and conventions that get in the way of free thinking and innovation.
I thought shopping malls were an all-American ethnic idiosyncrasy, no?
When you can buy the same things at the same stores in every town in all 50 states and all around the world, it's hard to think of them as idiosyncratic.
CuddlyHedgehogMarch 17, 2018 at 17:55#1630710 likes
Reply to T Clark I thought you were referring to the almighty american "shopping mall".
When you can buy the same things at the same stores, in the same malls, in every town in all 50 states and all around the world, it's hard to think of them as idiosyncratic.
CuddlyHedgehogMarch 17, 2018 at 18:46#1630820 likes
Comments (23)
No, I won't give you that.
Quoting CuddlyHedgehog
Stability, and also if something works, no need to change it.
I'm with @Agustino. Stability of human institutions. Maintenance of human relationships. Restrictions can be frustrating, unfair, and even harmful, but life is full of restrictions. Another benefit - with tradition, we don't have to recreate the rules every time. They are laid and, we hope, understandable.
Something new and different might work better. Just because things have always been done one way it doesn't mean it is the right or best way.
Just to play devil's advocate, although I agree that saying most of tradition is superfluous will require quite some weight of evidence to convince me, anthropologist Clive Finlayson has described in human prehistory one of my favourite social theories. Society is divided into conservatives and innovators. In times of stability, conservatives dominate and innovators are marginalised, nothing needs to change, and conservatism is easier than innovation (takes less brain energy and it is less risky). When the environment is changing, however, innovators dominate. It is at these times tradition may well be thrown out of the window.
Instead of "conformity and acceptance" I could say "continuity and social cohesion." Instead of "creativity and individualism" I might say "lack of standards and selfish narcissism." I acknowledge there are trade-offs. I didn't say tradition should be blindly followed. I only said that it is important, which is the topic of this discussion.
I was making a point. You made a "harsh and inaccurate" representation of tradition. I pointed out that one could make a similar representation about individualism and creativity. I don't think my hypothetical representations are any less, or any more, accurate than yours are.
Ahem....
Exactly, so then you need both elements of stability (tradition) and elements of exploration (novelty, new approaches, etc.).
Don't agree. I've already given my reasons.
And - ethnic idiosyncrasies are what makes the world more interesting than a shopping mall.
When you can buy the same things at the same stores in every town in all 50 states and all around the world, it's hard to think of them as idiosyncratic.
I was. How's this:
Quoting T Clark
irrelevant