Essay on What Can Pre-Modern World Teach Us on How To Be Better Humans in a Modern, Globalized World?

Abstract

The pre-modern teachings impact modern behavior and conformity standards that are expected in the community. The paper takes into account studies that explore the role of pre-modern teachings in shaping the current globalized world. For instance, the study of Ban Zhao as a philosopher helped many understand how traditional cultural values impact present societal norms. The philosopher wrote some lessons, which should act as a guiding aid to women’s behavior in society. The report aims to study the significance of the traditional cultural teachings on the modern way of life as human beings. Further, the research seeks to borrow significantly from Ban Zhao, an established Chinese philosopher (Ban 177). Moreover, the study will explore what other researchers have said on the topic of discussion.

Conceptual Problem

Topic: Nurturing of ethical values and conformity through a background check on the role of pre-modern teachings on modernity.

Research Question

What can pre-modern world teach us about how to be better humans in a modern, globalized world?

Exploring the scope of pre-modern teachings can help individuals in the society to understand the role that cultural values play in shaping character and personality within the community. In the modern world, aspects of behavior and humility in women, for instance, are changing due to the failure of the society to nurture young children well as required. As such, the research aims to solve the problem of having ill-mannered individuals in the society. The lessons written by Ban Zhao regarding women’s behavior will act as a reference throughout the research.

Literature Review

A literature review of the topic encompasses work done by other researchers regarding what Zhao Ban, a Chinese, philosopher lists as lessons for women. Many researchers have given their concerns as to the role that pre-modern education plays in helping humans become better people in society.

Source 1

Lahoud, Nelly. “Can Women Be Soldiers of the Islamic State?.” Survival 59.1 (2017): 61-78.

The author of the article emphasizes the role that women are supposed o play for the Islamic state during its operations. To the author, women are supposed to be enablers and not agents on the ground. It echoes traditional practices in the Islamic culture that allowed women not to participate in a war (Lahoud 61). The source will be used during the study to conclude the role of pre-modern education in shaping the behavior of humans in the current global world.

Source 2

Xue, Melanie Meng. “High-value work and the rise of women: The cotton revolution and gender equality in China.” Available at SSRN 2389218 (2016).

The article illustrates how women’s roles have changed over time since the cotton revolution. It echoes the role of culture in helping many within the society nurture good values. The research also asserts that women performed low-value roles in the community (Xue 10). The research is vital in making the community understand the role of upholding cultural values that shape behavior.

Source 3

Menke, Augustine. “The Development of Feminism in China.” (2017).

The research conducted captures the development of feminism in the Chinese context. It encompasses an analysis of conceptual frameworks from established researchers such as Ban Zhao. The article is relevant for the study as it captures the role that culture plays in shaping personality and cha5acters of women (Menke 6). A thorough analysis of works done by reputable philosophers in China has been given in the article, making it suitable for the study.

Source 4

Tan, Jonathan Y. “A Daughter’s Filiality, A Courtesan’s Moral Propriety and a Wife’s Conjugal Love: Rethinking Confucian Ethics for Women in the Tale of Kiều (Truyện Kiều).” Religion and Culture in Dialogue. Springer, Cham, 2016. 129-151.

The research concentrates on the discussion of moral propriety in a Chinese context. It echoes the work of Ban Zhao and the ethics that surround women in a Chinese society. The roles that women play in society and how the roles should help shape people to become better humans in the society (Tan 129). The study is relevant as it will help one draw detailed conclusions on pre-modernity and its significance in changing personality and character.

Source 5

Zhao, Yuanyuan, and Hejian Lu. “The Emergence and Development of Modern Female Schools in China.” International Conference on Education, Management, Computer, and Society. Atlantis Press, 2016.

The article highlights the emergence and development of modern female schools in China and the changes that are notable in the behavior of individuals. Through education, the western culture has brought about the civilization, which has messed up the traditional culture (Zhao and Lu 682). The article is relevant as it allows one to make a comparison between pre-modern education and modern learning approaches, especially for women.

Status of Findings

The finding from the studies assembled indicates that cultural learning in various communities served a guideline to the threshold expectation of behavior in society. Culture teaches values that the modern world does not teach many. For instance, the lessons for women as listed by Ban Zhao are educative of what women should be doing in society. Ban Zhao expresses her disappointment with what many women are learning today as it does not make them better humans. To many researchers, pre-modern learning was very instrumental as it could help many become rationally better human beings. As such, one can assert that pre-modern learning supplements the modern education, especially on morality and personality.

Project Completion Plan

The research should be completed in two weeks’ time after a thorough analysis of the various sources collected on pre-modern learning. In the two weeks, the study must consider all vital aspects that are essential for the successful completion of the research. The time allocated should be enough to gain an in-depth analysis of how culture can affect humanity and social life in general. Conclusive assertions drawn from the findings must supplement successful completion of the project. The first week will be used to assemble the necessary tools and data, which is required to draw detailed conclusions. The study will spend the last week analyzing data collected to gain a deeper understanding of what cultural learning plays in making individuals better human beings.

Request for Feedback

The report seeks feedback regarding the work that has been conducted so far. One area that needs clarification is the completion plan, which requires two weeks. It is critical to have feedback as to whether the stipulated time frame is enough or insufficient for successful research. Equally, the literature review part requires an inclusion and exclusion criterion for choosing the appropriate materials for the study. As such, the proposal seeks to gain feedback as to whether the inclusion and exclusion are appropriate. A notable concern that seeks clarification is the methodology that should be used to collect data on pre-modern learning and its impact on humanity. A clarification in regards to the same can suffice the concerns of this particular study. Feedback will help note areas that the study has done less to ensure the coherency of conclusions drawn.

Works Cited

Ban, Zhao. “Lessons for women.” Image of women in Chinese thought and culture: Writings from the pre-Qin period to Song dynasty (2003): 177-188.

Lahoud, Nelly. “Can Women Be Soldiers of the Islamic State?.” Survival 59.1 (2017): 61-78.

Menke, Augustine. “The Development of Feminism in China.” (2017)

Tan, Jonathan Y. “A Daughter’s Filiality, A Courtesan’s Moral Propriety and a Wife’s Conjugal Love: Rethinking Confucian Ethics for Women in the Tale of Kiều (Truyện Kiều).” Religion and Culture in Dialogue. Springer, Cham, 2016. 129-151.

Xue, Melanie Meng. “High-value work and the rise of women: The cotton revolution and gender equality in China.” Available at SSRN 2389218 (2016).

Zhao, Yuanyuan, and Hejian Lu. “The Emergence and Development of Modern Female Schools in China.” International Conference on Education, Management, Computer, and Society. Atlantis Press, 2016.