Multiculturalism

During them workshop groups’ one topic that we covered was about multiculturalism which also is our presentation topic. We decided to choose this as a presentation topic because we thought it would be an interesting topic and it would be interesting to debate about. During the lecture we learnt about two main theories which were Liberals and communitarians. The two argues debated about multiculturalism. Liberalism argument was based on freedom and equality. What liberalism says that one has the freedom to choose what culture they want to follow, based on the descion made they are seen equal however; liberals say that one has the freedom to choose but they have to follow the political law. According to liberals in a social outcome the result of descions procedure in which each person’s choices are given equal weight. Liberalism gives freedom for individuals to decide what they lead, it then allows them to reconsider whether they have made a good descion, and they then have the freedom to plan a better life. Liberals also say that as humans we live our life from the inside in accordance with our beliefs this then leads to a value, however, liberalism say that having the freedom to choose what you want to follow leads to a valuable life, they conclude on to saying that in accordance to live a valuable life a person needs the liberties to lead their benefits which contains freedom. However, communitarians criticize liberals what they say is that it is important for one to follow their culture they don’t have the freedom to choose what they want to follow. Rawls suggests that the structure of a social system can be apprasied; a position whose special virtue is that is allows us to regard human condition. A good example to explain communitarians argument in more depth would be that if a person was at university doing law because their grandma wanted them to do it according to communitarians that would be fine because that person is following its grandmas wish along as it keeps them happy however, according to Liberals the person has the freedom to choose what subject they want to do. This then can be used in a multicultural society if a person did not want to follow their culture according to liberals that is acceptable where as according to communitarians that is not acceptable. However, communitarians do criticise liberal’s theory, in many ways. Communitarians say that liberals don’t have the freedom to choose therefore they are not equal. Taylor’s thesis is that identity is partly shaped by misrecognition which is leading to diminished self-imaged and restricted mode of a being. However communitarians say that recognition is important where as liberal say that recognition is not as important as equality and freedom. Communitarians say that the displacement of moral accent from being in touch with feelings about right and wrong to begin in touch with other feelings. My personal view is they living in a multicultural society are a good thing I personally follow the liberal way I feel that if someone wants to follow a different culture they have the freedom of choice to do so. I personally feel that communitarians argue is unfair not everyone in a society wants to stick to their own culture therefore it is acceptable for them to follow a liberal way but communitarians say that it is not right for one to follow a liberal way because they will not be recognized. The lecture on its own was interesting the two theories have good points but on whole communitarians are a stronger argument rather than Liberals but I still feel that everyone has the freedom to express themselves how they want too. however, some peopel may not want to live in a Multicultural society. the article below argues whether multicultrualism is good. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/3600519.stm