Princeton professor speaks about his latest book

10/19/07 - Last night, University of Rhode Island students filled Edwards Auditorium to hear author and Princeton University professor Kwame Anthony Appiah discuss his latest book, Cosmopolitanism: Ethics in a World of Strangers.Cosmopolitanism, which takes its roots from the ancient Greeks, affirms that all humans are part of a moral community. This community is not limited to states or countries, but rather a global spectrum.

"Universities and colleges can be a paradigm, sort of a home for cosmopolitanism," Appiah said.

He added that college students have the opportunity to come together and engage in conversation with people from all sorts of backgrounds. In addition, professors teach students what is happening in today's world and offer multiple perspectives into the situation, increasing awareness of everything from the genocides in Darfur to the religious debates in America.

Appiah said when students graduate and go out into the world, they take the things they have learned with them, and then use what they have learned when interacting with others and making contributions to society.

Appiah told the audience how his diverse upbringing influenced his interest in Cosmopolitanism. He was raised by a father from Ghana and a mother from England, both of whom can trace their ancestry to their birthplace back at least a century.

While growing up in Kumasi, Ghana, Appiah said he had the opportunity to interact with many different cultures.

When Appiah's father died, he said his father left a letter to his family, reminding them "we are all citizens of the world."

Appiah told the audience that they must listen to all cultures and they must be tolerant of everyone. It is in listening that one learns about other cultures, he said.

"We must care for the fate of all human citizens," Appiah said.

Appiah said cynic philosopher Diogenes, from Sinope in modern day Turkey, felt the same way. Diogenes felt that citizens should care not only about themselves, but also about everyone on the planet. Appiah said Diogenes also valued the art of conversation, stressing Cosmopolites must interact with others by listening, learning and interacting with those from other cultures.

"You need to understand each other even if you don't agree," Appiah said.

Today, global exchange through mediums like telephone, television and the Internet allow people of all backgrounds to learn about other cultures and share their opinions. In addition, global exchange allows conversation to help understand and overcome barriers caused by race, ethnicity, religion and other social constructs between cultures.

"All of these mean not only can we learn about life everywhere, but we can affect it too," Appiah said. "We will inevitably affect one another. People matter and culture matters to people."

Appiah said that Cosmopolitanism can be a double standard. He said that in situations like human rights violations, particularly the genocides in Darfur, Cosmopolites do not need to agree. Instead, they have a responsibility to understand the reasons why it is happening in that culture. Cosmopolites should then do their best to persuade offenders to change their actions. If that is to no avail, a solution must be configured.

"We are going to stand up for the people who are being harmed," Appiah said. "It's not a limitless tolerance. But when we intervene, we have to intervene intelligently."

Appiah said that being able to evaluate a situation is not enough; what counts more is a practical response.

"I can't by myself go and save Darfur," he said. "I could volunteer, get killed and maybe save a few lives." He added that one person does not have the resources that the world does, and at times even world resources are not enough.

"It's a failure, but not a failure conceptually," Appiah said. "I think it's a failure of politics."

For students wishing to become more cosmopolitan, Appiah said understanding and interacting with people from all sorts of different backgrounds is essential.

"The way to become more forward, I believe, is to continue these global conversations," he said.

Appiah suggested watching foreign films at least once a month. "Do what people around the world are doing already," he said, pointing out that this is a good way to understand other cultures.

Freshman Gina Richards is taking Sociology 100, in which students are required to read Appiah's book.

She said it was great to meet the author of the text her class is studying.

Cosmopolitanism is "the first book I've written to be accessible to a non-academic audience," Appiah said. He said that he tried to illustrate his points through stories and dialogue to make it more interesting for the reader. Appiah has written several other books.

"It's always kind of fun to hear someone who is so dazzling in their knowledge," said C.B. Peters, a sociology professor. Peters said he enjoyed the lecture, and complimented Appiah on his ability to convey a complex subject to people with all sorts of educational backgrounds.

For those who missed last night's lecture, Appiah will be answering questions about Cosmopolitanism today in the Chafee Social Science Center in Room 271 at 10 a.m.