Ethics and Values in Physical Education

Cultural Vigour

„Cultural Vigour” is a concept proposed by philosopher Nayef Al-Rodhan. He defines cultural vigour as cultural resilience and strength that results from mixing and exchanges between various cultures and sub-cultures around the world. In his general theory of human nature, which he calls “emotional amoral egoism”. Al-Rodhan argues that all humans are motivated amongst others by arrogance, injustice, exceptionalism, and exclusion. According to him, these particular motivating factors are unfounded, misguided, and hinder humankind's potential for synergistic progress and prosperity. In order to combat these tendencies, Al-Rodhan argues that cultural vigour and ethnic and cultural diversity must be actively promoted by governments and civil society. Al-Rodhan compares cultural vigour to the natural phenomenon of “hybrid vigour”, arguing that in nature, molecular and genetic diversity produce stronger and more resilient organisms that are less susceptible to disease and mutational challenges. Similar resilience can be produced through fostering cultural and ethnic diversity. Ultimately, Al-Rodhan maintains that cultural vigour will ensure humanity's future and will improve humans' ability to survive and thrive.

Cultural uniformity

Cultural diversity is presented as the antithesis of cultural uniformity.

Some (including UNESCO) fear this hypothesis of a trend towards cultural uniformity. To support this argument they emphasize different aspects:

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  The disappearance of many languages and dialects, regarding for example the languages of France, without legal status or protection (Basque, Breton, Corsican, Occitan, Catalan, Alsatian, Flemish, Poitou, Saintonge, etc.).
  
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  Anxiety of people on the preservation of their traditions as in New Zealand, coastal regions in Australia, North America, Central America;
  
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  Increasing cultural pre-eminence of the United States through the distribution of its products in film, television, music, clothing and nutritional products promoted in audio-visual media, consumer products virtually standardized on the planet (pizza, restaurants, fast food, etc.).
  

There are several international organizations that work towards protecting threatened societies and cultures, including Survival International and UNESCO. The UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted by 185 Member States in 2001, represents the first international standard- setting instrument aimed at preserving and promoting cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue. Indeed, the notion of "cultural diversity" has been echoed by more neutral organizations, particularly within the UNESCO. Beyond the Declaration of Principles adopted in 2003 at the Geneva Phase of the World Summit on the information Society (WSIS), the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions was adopted in 20 October 2005, but neither ratified by the US, Australia nor by Israel. It is instead a clear recognition of the specificity of cultural goods and services, as well as state sovereignty and public services in this area. Thought for world trade, this soft law instrument (strength in not binding) clearly became a crucial reference to the definition of the European policy choice. In 2009, the European Court of Justice favoured a broad view of culture — beyond cultural values — through the protection of film or the objective of promoting linguistic diversity yet previously recognized. On top of it, under this Convention, the EU and China have committed to fostering more balanced cultural exchanges, strengthening international cooperation and solidarity with business and trade opportunities in cultural and creative industries.
The European Commission-funded Network of Excellence on “Sustainable Development in a Diverse World” (known as “SUS.DIV”) builds upon the UNESCO Declaration to investigate the relationship between cultural diversity and sustainable development.
⁴² Source: Wikipedia