The Challenge of Pluralism

We all have differences culturally, economically and even in political aspect. Usually, pluralism is
a term being used when people with different views exist in the same area. It comes from the word
“plural” which means consisting of, or containing more than one kind or class and “ism” which means
distinctive doctrine or a belief. Pluralism may refer to process, philosophy, ethics and political
philosophy.

Pluralism as process refers to ways of recognition. Meaning you recognize that diversity exists –
religion, race, gender orientation, and other types of diversity. At this basic level, it is a state of society
in which members of diverse ethnic or social groups maintain an autonomous (separate) participation
and develop their traditional culture or special interest, within the confines of a common civilization
(WEB). For example, many cities here in the Philippines have areas referred to as Little Italy or
Chinatown where people from those countries keep their cultural traditions even they’re here. Another
example is that, in Mindanao, the majority of people who lives there are Muslims but people of other
backgrounds, religions and languages also live there.

In Philosophy, Pluralism is the theory that there is more than one basic substance or principle. It
is contrasted to Monism which holds that there is just one kind of substance and to Dualism which holds
that there are two substance in the universe because there are in fact many different substances in
nature that constitutes reality (The Basic of Philosophy, 2008).

In Ethics, Pluralism is the supposition that there are many independent sources of value and
that there is no single truth, even in moral matters because there is not one consistent means of
approaching truth about the world and that nothing is absolute.

In Political Philosophy, Pluralism is the recognition and affirmation of diversity within a political
body, which permits the peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions, and lifestyle. In other
words, it is the acceptance of a multiplicity of groups with competing interests.
Some points about pluralism claimed by pluralists in the Pluralism Project at Harvard University (Diana L.
Eck, 2006) are:

1. Pluralism is not diversity alone, but the energetic engagement with diversity.

Diversity is the fact of differences. Pluralism creates a common society, or engagements, or

relationships among the different groups. For example, in Manila there are Roman Catholic Church,
Buddhist temple, Church of God, a Muslim Community Center, and a Hindu temple. This is certainly
diversity, but without any engagement or relationship among the different groups it may not be an
instance of pluralism. Pluralism requires participation and engagement and there must be real
encounters and relationships between the different groups like for example, some of them were not
doing it; but they did not oppose it. It’s like “I don’t do it; but it is OK with me that you do it”

2. Pluralism is not just tolerance, but the active seeking of understanding across lines of difference.

Tolerance is a necessary public virtue, but it does not require Christians and Muslims, Hindus, and
Jews to know anything about one another just the need to understand and respect each other. It also
suggest that there is value in a variety of views and traditions in which it recognize the distinctions
without forcing to adapt a particular culture and respecting each other’s cultural practices.

3. Pluralism is not relativism, but the encounter of commitments.

Relativism is essentially about truth, ethics, and values. Pluralism on the other hand is about social
relations. The pluralism does not require us to leave our identities and our commitments behind, for
pluralism is the encounter of commitments. It means people of every faith can be themselves while
engaging in the creation of a civil society. They create society through critical and self-critical encounter
with one another, acknowledging, rather than hiding, their deepest differences.

4. Pluralism is based on dialogue.

The language of pluralism is a dialogue and encounter, give and take, criticism and self-criticism.
Dialogue means both speaking and listening, and that process reveals both common understandings and
real differences. And also, dialogue does not mean everyone at the “table” will agree with one another.
Pluralism involves the commitment to being at the table — with one’s commitments.