Is Tradition Important?

Summary

The script debates the importance of tradition in the modern world, highlighting the decline of traditional values in the English-speaking world over the past thirty years. It contrasts this with China's renewed emphasis on ancient traditions, particularly Confucian values, to foster a stable and prosperous society. The script argues that a nation's heritage and cultural roots are crucial for its development and unity, urging Western societies to reconsider their own cultural erosion. Stuart Wachowicz concludes by suggesting a re-examination of Western civilization's foundations, particularly those rooted in the Bible, to ensure societal prosperity.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Tradition is seen by some as essential for stability, while others view it as an obstacle to progress.
• 🇬🇧 There has been a significant decline in the value placed on tradition in the English-speaking world over the past thirty years.
• 📚 There is a reluctance in England and English Canada to teach their historical and cultural heritage, fearing accusations of bigotry.
• ⚖️ The elements of culture that shaped the English language, literature, parliamentary democracy, common law, and freedoms are not being robustly taught.
• 🏛️ Retaining valuable cultural aspects is crucial for developing national pride and respecting one's heritage.
• 🔄 The erosion of traditional values is evident in various aspects, from work ethic and politeness to respect for elders and proper conduct.
• 🇨🇳 In contrast, China places great emphasis on maintaining ancient traditions of respect and politeness, influenced by Confucius' teachings.
• 📖 The Chinese government promotes Confucian values worldwide through Confucius Institutes, recognizing their importance in building a strong society.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese leadership emphasizes moral education and the re-establishment of links to ancient traditions for a stable and prosperous nation.
• 📜 There is a call to rediscover the roots of Western culture, particularly through the teachings of the Bible, to prevent further erosion of heritage.

Q & A

What are the two opposing views on tradition mentioned in the script?

Some see tradition as essential for maintaining stability in a rapidly changing world, while others view it as a senseless anchor holding back progression.

How has the valuing of tradition changed in the English-speaking world over the past thirty years?

There has been a considerable loss in the valuing of tradition, with a modern context that embraces cultural change and elements from various sources other than its own roots.

What is the concern about teaching history and cultural heritage in England and English Canada?

Education officials are reluctant to teach this heritage unashamedly, fearing it will be labeled as bigotry. This reluctance may lead to a nation forgetting its past.

Why is retaining valuable aspects of culture considered critical?

Retaining valuable cultural aspects is essential for developing proper pride in one's country and its achievements, and it does not equate to disrespecting other nations or cultures.

What evidence of the decay of traditional values is mentioned in the script?

The decay of traditional values is evident in the work ethic, simple rules of politeness, protocols when meeting people, actions of respect towards elders, dress codes for school, and how teachers or persons of authority are addressed.

How does the script describe the situation in China regarding tradition and cultural values?

China places great emphasis on maintaining ancient traditions of respect and politeness, with Confucian values being taught in schools. The Chinese government promotes these values worldwide through Confucius Institutes.

What was Dr. Xu Jia Lu's charge to Chinese educational leaders, and how was it received?

Dr. Xu Jia Lu charged educational leaders to make young boys into strong and gentle men, and young girls into gracious ladies. This charge was well received and is being implemented in Chinese schools.

What is the perceived outcome of China’s approach to valuing traditions according to the script?

The approach has led to a united society with a common set of values, morals, and social traditions, contributing to China's rapid modern ascent, stability, and prosperity.

What lesson does the script suggest Canada should learn from China?

Canada should consider the implications of allowing the continued erosion of its heritage and look to rediscover the roots of Western culture to preserve its society.

What historical text does the script mention as heavily influencing Western civilization?

The script mentions the Bible as a text that has miraculously preserved and passed on traditions, history, and lessons for millennia, influencing Western civilization.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ The Importance of Tradition in Western Society

This paragraph discusses the varying views on tradition, particularly in the English-speaking world. It highlights the decline in valuing tradition over the past thirty years, noting the modern emphasis on cultural change and inclusivity. The text criticizes the reluctance of education officials to teach historical heritage due to fears of being labeled as bigoted. It argues that retaining cultural values is crucial for national pride and warns against the decay of traditional values, such as politeness and respect for authority. The paragraph contrasts this with China's renewed emphasis on Confucian values and moral education, which is seen as a foundation for a strong and peaceful society. The Chinese government's promotion of these values through Confucius Institutes is noted as a strategic move for national unity and stability. The paragraph concludes by suggesting that Western countries, especially Canada, should reconsider their heritage to preserve societal cohesion and values, drawing on historical texts like the Bible.

05:01

🤔 Self-Esteem vs. Self-Control

This brief paragraph contrasts the recent decades' focus on the self-esteem movement with the growing advocacy for self-control. It hints at a shift in perspectives, with more voices now emphasizing the importance of self-control over self-esteem. The reader is invited to explore further to understand which trait holds more significance.

Keywords

💡Tradition

Tradition refers to the customs and beliefs that are passed down through generations. In the video, tradition is seen as essential for maintaining stability in a changing world and is contrasted with the idea of progression. The decline in valuing tradition in the English-speaking world is highlighted as a concern.

💡Progression

Progression signifies the movement towards modernity and embracing change. The video discusses the tension between progression and tradition, noting that many in the western world now favor cultural change over traditional values, leading to a perceived erosion of societal foundations.

💡Cultural change

Cultural change involves the transformation of a society's customs, beliefs, and practices. The video mentions how the modern context of the English-speaking world embraces cultural elements from diverse origins, which contrasts with its traditional roots.

💡History

History is the study of past events. The video argues that there is an embarrassment in teaching English history, which includes the development of language, literature, parliamentary democracy, and common law. It emphasizes that forgetting history may lead to a loss of national identity.

💡Education

Education is the process of teaching and learning. The video criticizes education officials for being hesitant to teach English heritage, fearing accusations of bigotry, and suggests that this reluctance undermines national pride and cultural continuity.

💡Values

Values are the principles and standards of behavior considered important by a society. The video stresses the importance of traditional values like respect, politeness, and a strong work ethic, which are perceived to be eroding in the western world, impacting societal stability.

💡Confucian values

Confucian values are the ethical teachings of Confucius, focusing on respect, politeness, and moral education. The video highlights how China is re-emphasizing these values in education to build a strong, united society, contrasting it with the erosion of similar values in the west.

💡Self-esteem

Self-esteem refers to one's sense of self-worth. The video mentions the rise of the self-esteem movement in recent decades, implying that it has gone unchallenged and suggesting that a focus on self-control might be more beneficial for societal stability.

💡Self-control

Self-control is the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The video contrasts self-control with self-esteem, suggesting that self-control is gaining recognition for its importance in fostering responsible and respectful behavior, which aligns with traditional values.

💡National identity

National identity is the sense of a nation as a cohesive whole, represented by distinctive traditions, culture, and history. The video argues that retaining and valuing historical and cultural traditions is critical for maintaining national identity and preventing societal fragmentation.

Highlights

Tradition is seen as essential for stability by some, while others see it as a hindrance to progress.

In the past thirty years, the English-speaking world has seen a significant decline in valuing tradition.

Modern society in the West often embraces cultural change over traditional values.

There is an embarrassment in English-speaking countries about teaching their own history and cultural heritage.

Important elements of English-speaking culture include the English language, literature, parliamentary democracy, and common law.

Education officials are reluctant to teach heritage due to fears of being labeled as bigoted.

A nation that forgets its past risks losing its future.

Retaining cultural values is crucial for developing national pride without disrespecting other cultures.

The erosion of Western cultural values is evident in work ethic, politeness, respect for elders, and behavior standards.

Other cultures, like China, emphasize maintaining ancient traditions of respect and politeness.

The Chinese government has reintroduced Confucian teachings in schools to rebuild moral standards.

China’s leadership values the preservation of its cultural heritage for national unity and strength.

The success of China is seen as a testament to the value of maintaining a common set of values and traditions.

Western societies, such as Canada, should consider the consequences of losing their cultural heritage.

The Bible, heavily influencing Western civilization, could provide valuable lessons and roots for rediscovering Western culture.

Transcripts

Some see it as essential to maintaining stability in a rapidly changing world;

while others see it as a senseless anchor, holding back the tide of progression.

Which is it?

Is tradition important?

In the western world, and in particular in the English-speaking world, there has been,

over the past thirty years, a very considerable loss in the valuing of tradition.

The modern context of our society seems to be one that wants to recognize and embrace

cultural change and elements drawn from everywhere other than that from which the

English-speaking world takes its roots.

In England and English Canada there is seemingly an embarrassment about teaching our history,

and the elements of culture that produced the English language, English literature,

the modern system of parliamentary democracy, common law and many of the freedoms the rest

of the world wants to emulate.

Education officials are reticent to unashamedly teach this heritage,

fearful that it will be called bigotry,

yet a nation that forgets its past may well be a nation that will eventually

exist only in history.

Retaining valuable aspects of culture is critical to develop a proper pride in one's country

and its achievements.

This does not equate to disrespecting other nations or cultures, but valuing one's own.

It is however difficult to ignore the erosion in the western cultural base.

In all manner of things from the work ethic, simple rules of politeness, protocols when

meeting people, actions of respect to elders, how we dress for school, or even how teachers

or persons of authority are addressed: the decay of traditional values is evident.

The veneer of civilization is very thin, and traditions, protocols and accepted established

expressions of polite behaviour, if lost or not respected, bode ill for the future of

such a society.

It is interesting to see what is happening in other cultures.

For example in present day China a great deal of emphasis is being placed on the maintenance

of the ancient traditions of respect and politeness.

The writings of Confucius, a government administrator of 500 BC, are again being taught in all Chinese schools

The Cultural Revolution, that began in 1966, tried to extinguish the ideas of the past,

and especially those of Confucius.

Yet the new leadership of China has realized the importance of standards and moral education.

The mere fact that the Chinese government has Chinese culture being represented around the

world by Confucius Institutes, is a testimony to the importance China is placing on Confucian values,

and the critical role China sees for these traditions.

In, August 2009, I was present in Beijing, when a great Chinese scholar

and former Vice Chair of the National Congress, Dr. Xu Jia Lu, stated to an assembly of the leaders of

Chinese educational systems: "I charge you to make our young boys into strong and gentle

men, and our young girls into gracious ladies."

This charge was well received and is being implemented in Chinese schools as they strive

to re-establish links to ancient China in the context of the new.

It is realized by the leadership of the nation that this is necessary to build a strong,

peaceful and united nation.

This is a great lesson we can learn: the valuing of the past and the greatness of the

ideas upon which a society is predicated must be preserved if that society is to thrive.

China now understands the value of a society united in a common set of values, morals and

social traditions.

The rapid modern ascent of that nation and the new found stability and prosperity of

China, is a testimony to the wisdom of the current government's approach.

Here in Canada we need to start to think of the implications of allowing a continued erosion

of our heritage.

We might do well to consider the traditions, history and lessons that were miraculously

preserved and passed on for millennia in a book which heavily influenced western civilization.

The text known as the Bible is the source of most of our laws.

Perhaps it is time to rediscover the roots of western culture.

The hour is late.

I'm Stuart Wachowicz for Tomorrow's World Viewpoint.

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In recent decades the rise of the self-esteem movement has gone almost unchallenged.

However, many now touting the benefits of self-control.

Click here to discover which is more important-self-esteem, or self-control.