Here's a more detailed "overview," to use Meh Jigsaw's term, of ch.8.
People feel connected to art; like they are entitled to it just because it lies within their land. But people everywhere can be affected by art. This shows how we cross the border of locality into globality or "globalness" (I guess it sounds better)--Art is a universal value, and not one that is simply admired or understood by those closest to you, wether the artifacts are from your culture or not. With this thought in mind, Appiah believes that art specific to a culture, or "cultural patrimony" should be taken care of and shared, and artifacts from non-existant cultures (such as the Nok statues) should go to the place where they will be cared for and respected.
Chapter 9
Oh, this is so late!! >.<" Counter Cosmopolitans are very different from the cosmos. Thus, the term "counter-cosmos." Counter Cosmopolitans favor homogeneity and universalism without toleration. In the book, Appiah gives an example of this as Muslims in Al-Kaida that try to kill believers of other religions. Universalism, to them, means having ONE universal truth, no matter what they have to do to acquire it. Whereas for Cosmopolitans, universalism means respecting that there are many different truths and beliefs (Pluralism). Counter Cosmopolitans encourage conversation, while Counter-Cosmos fear communication as too powerful an opposing influence.
I didn't really think I knew of any counter-cosmos here at UK at first, but then I remembered the free-speech corner in front of the student center. Though free speech is definitely a cosmopolitan action because it encourages communication and the sharing of views, it sometimes seems that the performers there are trying to impose their will on the passersby. For instance, one of my friends said they were yelled at by a guy there, and he told them that they wouldn't go to Heaven, but to somewhere else. He was trying to scare them into believing what he believed, i guess.
Page 153 "People Don't Matter Very Much"
Appiah claims that very few have this notion in their heads that people don't matter at all. Instead, some think that other people don't matter very much. The only ones that can fully complete our goals are ourselves. Therefore, we tend to ignore others when they aren't somehow involved in helping us with our goals, or are standing in the way of what we deem most important in our lives. Also, it's difficult to imagine what others are thinking and feeling, especially if we have preconcieved ideas about these things. This is kind of the same thing with how we treat animals. We don't know how they are feeling a lot of the time, and we hardly ever know what they are thinking.
But animals have shown signs of feelings. They cower before being taken to the vet. Sometimes birds sing during the day, not always at the same time. The actions of animals are not completely methodical. No matter what tongue they think in, animals can still feel. And feelings, wether deemed pleasant or unpleasant in human-speak, are still feelings. Obsessive cruelty to any creature that feels, I think, is wrong.
But then, why do I still believe in not being a vegetarian?
First of all, I love chicken.
Second of all, it's easy for me not to be one; but that doesn't make it right.
As far as I've heard, it's possible to pull off. Some would argue that that is one reason animals were put on this earth, but I believe that, just like humans, they are here to be observed and interacted with.
It seems a bit like I have gotten off topic, but I feel that vegetarianism has relevance to animal cruelty, and the concept of creatures with feelings not mattering. Many people see killing animals as cruel. Some see it as cruel even if you eat them. They can feel pain, after all. The kind of cruelty I have been talking about pertains to throwing rocks or beating animals or things like that, but I guess I would consider killing terrible, too. It would make me feel guilty to do it. (Speaking of which, what about bugs? We get over that...) And what about how some places put cows right next to a slaughterhouse?
But the main point is...I think people don't think other people matter as much because they don't understand them, or think they have a more important goal in mind. Appiah says we should try to change their minds and stay out of their way. I guess, with vegetarianism, vegetarians could give examples on the benefits of their way of thinking...such as health benefits, try to change us meat-eaters' minds, and let us find out for ourselves how animals really feel about what is happening to them.
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