Western modern polarizations vs. consensus in tribal communities
This module puts in a graphic form some of the content of Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil’s contribution to our dialogue on consensus.
| Western modernity: polarizations | Tribal communities: communitarian outlook |
|---|---|
| Hegel: dialectics (thesis, antithesis, synthesis) | Consensus |
| Marx: theory of conflict (class struggle) | Public reasoning, weighing pros and cons of important social issues |
| Darwin : survival of the fittest | Care for the weakest |
| Majority – minority | Sense of community |
| Majority decision | Community decisions |
| Imposition of the will of the majority | Common will of the community |
| Western modern dialectics: synthesis | Tribal consensus |
|---|---|
| Reached through conflict | Reached through mutual and community acceptance |
| Element of force | Dynamics of persuasion |
| Appeal to the good sense and good will of each other | |
| Delving into the collective wisdom of the community | |
| Tapping the synergy that emerges from intense interaction among members of the community | |
| Antithesis | Con-thesis |
Characteristics of tribal discussions:
Full participation of all
Liveliness and intensity of discussions
Humanness
No contradiction of one another
Respect, full attention to one another, listening
Genuine interest in what each one has to say
Success of decisions made by consensus because of community approval
Consensus precedes any activity of common interest
Some tribal values:
Consensus
Sense of equality
Dignity of labor
Family cohesion
Strong communal bonds
Collective responsibility for common good
Closeness to nature
Protection of the environment
Respect for life
Honesty
Personal integrity
Frankness
Deference to elders
Respect for wisdom
Systems of medicine closer to nature…