Spring Break
Princeton professor speaks about his latest book
Lindsay Lorenz
Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Campus
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Cosmopolitanism, which takes its roots from the ancient Greeks, affirms that all humans are part of a moral community. This community is not limited to states or countries, but rather a global spectrum.
"Universities and colleges can be a paradigm, sort of a home for cosmopolitanism," Appiah said.
He added that college students have the opportunity to come together and engage in conversation with people from all sorts of backgrounds. In addition, professors teach students what is happening in today's world and offer multiple perspectives into the situation, increasing awareness of everything from the genocides in Darfur to the religious debates in America.
Appiah said when students graduate and go out into the world, they take the things they have learned with them, and then use what they have learned when interacting with others and making contributions to society.
Appiah told the audience how his diverse upbringing influenced his interest in Cosmopolitanism. He was raised by a father from Ghana and a mother from England, both of whom can trace their ancestry to their birthplace back at least a century.
While growing up in Kumasi, Ghana, Appiah said he had the opportunity to interact with many different cultures.
When Appiah's father died, he said his father left a letter to his family, reminding them "we are all citizens of the world."
Appiah told the audience that they must listen to all cultures and they must be tolerant of everyone. It is in listening that one learns about other cultures, he said.
"We must care for the fate of all human citizens," Appiah said.
Appiah said cynic philosopher Diogenes, from Sinope in modern day Turkey, felt the same way. Diogenes felt that citizens should care not only about themselves, but also about everyone on the planet. Appiah said Diogenes also valued the art of conversation, stressing Cosmopolites must interact with others by listening, learning and interacting with those from other cultures.
