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| Dialogue among Civilizations, Cultural Cooperation and Philosophical Reflection upon “Belt and Road Initiative” |
| CHENG Zhong-ying |
| Department of Philosophy, Hawaii University, US |
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Abstract “Culture” is the life style, value orientation, behavior orientation, and specific ways of thinking and ideological system gradually formed in an ethnic group. It defines its further development, and this is “civilization”. Clashes of civilizations can be categorized into essential clashes and interest clashes. Difference in concepts and beliefs is an important cause of clashes in civilizations. But more importantly, these concepts and beliefs are associated with people’s practical benefits, desires and emotions. The main objective of dialogues among civilizations is to avoid substantial conflicts and lead to a more interpenetrated ideological system and value system. Another core purpose is to eliminate the existing substantial clashes among civilizations, or at least, get a reasonable solution. Dialogues are not only communication of concepts, but also depend on cognitive power, tolerance and the ability to resolve conflicts in dialogue tradition. Two basic principles must be held in dialogues: we must be aware that humans share source of life; we must also be aware that the ultimate ideals of individual human beings have universal features. Chinese civilization possesses the quality to sustain deep dialogues among civilizations. China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” provides a better way for development of human civilization.
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Received: 15 August 2017
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2017, Vol. 34 
