EPISTEMOLOGY FOR A HARMONIZED WORLD ORDER

WOO-WON CHOI

ABSTRACT

Man’s living attitude and behavior toward the world have been formed differently
according to the various educational systems of the civilizations and ages. When we
study the dominant epistemological theories of those civilizations and ages, we can know
what kinds of ideas have led those educational systems, what types of men have been
formed, and to what directions those societies have been driven. Today, the word “Global
Village” is frequently used, reflecting the fact that the numerous civilizations, religions,
and cultures are interacting closely to weave a more and more intimate relationship.
In such a situation, philosophy should be able to give an answer to the question how to
encounter the more and more complicated world. We can live neither the present nor the
future by depending on the closed thoughts of the age of isolation. It was natural for men
of an age of isolation to regard as “normal” only their own culture and religion, despising
the others as “barbaric” or “savage”. But, we should no longer take such a closed attitude,
living in an age of open society. Our future demands that we should comprehend other
cultures and religions, and harmonize with them.