We all carry them, these invisible, often unquestioned filters through which we view the world. They are woven from the threads of our upbringing, our societal norms, our deeply ingrained cultural narratives. These filters, while essential for navigating daily life, can also become walls, insulating us within the echo chamber of our own certainties and fostering a dangerous rigidity – dogmatism.
Dogmatism, the stubborn clinging to one’s beliefs as absolute and unshakeable truths, plagues individuals and societies alike. It stifles dialogue, breeds intolerance, and ultimately blinds us to the richness and complexity of the human experience. But what if a powerful antidote to this rigid thinking lay not in head-on confrontation, but in a subtle shift of perspective? What if the key to unlocking ourselves from dogmatism was simply learning to see ourselves through the eyes of another culture?
Consider, for instance, the realm of religion. For someone raised within a Christian framework, the divinity of Jesus Christ might feel like an undeniable, self-evident truth. From this vantage point, other religious founders might appear, well, less. Less sacred, less significant, perhaps even less…correct. It’s a comfortable, familiar perspective, deeply ingrained from childhood.
However, this comfortable certainty crumbles when we dare to step outside our own cultural and religious bubble. Imagine for a moment the perspective of a devout Buddhist. For them, Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment and offered a profound path to liberation from suffering. Their lens might view Jesus not as divine, but as a wise teacher, perhaps even a bodhisattva in his own right, but certainly not uniquely superior to the Buddha. Similarly, a Sikh might emphasise the oneness of God, seeing all prophets and messengers, including Jesus, as valuable guides but none inherently surpassing the others. A Muslim might venerate Jesus as a significant prophet of Islam, performing miracles, but unequivocally subordinate to Allah and his final prophet, Muhammad.
Suddenly, the comfortable ‘truth’ we held feels less monolithic, less absolute. Seeing our own faith, our own central figure, through these diverse lenses forces us to confront the culturally constructed nature of our beliefs about sacredness. It highlights that what we perceive as ‘obvious’ divinity is not universally recognised, and indeed, other cultures have their own deeply cherished and equally valid frameworks for understanding the spiritual world.
This principle extends far beyond religion. Think about social norms. In some cultures, direct, assertive communication is valued as honest and efficient, while in others, indirectness and politeness are paramount to maintaining harmony. Someone from a culture that prioritises directness might view indirect communication as evasive or even dishonest. Conversely, someone from a communication-sensitive culture might perceive directness as rude and aggressive.
Yet, when we view our own communication style from the perspective of the other culture, we begin to understand that neither approach is inherently superior. They are simply different ways of navigating social interaction, each with its own logic and cultural context. This shift in perspective fosters humility and weakens the dogmatic belief that “our way” is inherently “the right way.”
The power of cross-cultural perspective to combat dogmatism lies in its ability to:
Challenge our assumptions: It forces us to question the unquestioned, to examine the invisible filters shaping our perception. We begin to realise that many of our “truths” are actually culturally specific viewpoints.
Promote empathy and understanding: By attempting to see the world through another’s lens, we cultivate empathy. We begin to understand the rationale behind beliefs and practices that might initially seem strange or even wrong from our own perspective.
Cultivate intellectual humility: Realising the relativity of our own cultural framework fosters humility. We acknowledge that our perspective is just one among many, and that there are other equally valid ways of seeing the world.
Expand our worldview: Exposure to diverse cultural perspectives broadens our horizons. It enriches our understanding of human potential and the vast array of ways to organise societies, express values, and live meaningful lives.
Embracing this kind of perspective shift isn’t always easy. It requires a willingness to step outside our comfort zone, to confront potentially unsettling questions about our own ingrained beliefs. It demands intellectual curiosity and a genuine openness to understanding viewpoints that differ from our own.
However, the rewards are immense. By cultivating the habit of seeing ourselves and our world through the eyes of another culture, we can actively dismantle the walls of dogmatism that confine our thinking and limit our understanding. We can move towards a more nuanced, empathetic, and ultimately, more enlightened perspective – one that celebrates the beautiful tapestry of human diversity and fosters genuine connection in an increasingly interconnected world. The gift of perspective, offered by cross-cultural understanding, is the key to unlocking ourselves from the shackles of rigid certainty and embracing the vast, vibrant spectrum of human experience.
Worldwide Temple of Aurora 