The Dualistic Nature of Tradition

To be honest, I will be very personal when I will be referring to the topic at hand, given the
fact that I am not necessarily a traditionalist, but I will, however, try to be considerate and
moderate.
Moreover, usually we are not allowed to do that in school papers, so I will take my
chances.
Considering the fact that we are talking about tradition, let’s convey to some academic
rules and start the essay defining the term that is being discussed: a belief, principle, or way of
acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time
(https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/tradition). That is what the definition of
“tradition” is. And while there is a part of me that believes in old sayings, values passed down
generations, and so on, there is still some newfound part of me that has clearly grown out of
this culture, and is keeping up with the times, not out of desire to seem modern or “cool” but
because I feel that tradition has started to hold us back from our real potential.
Tradition is sown into our unconsciousness since we were born and instilled there just as
other archetypes are. Carl Jung said that there is a form of unconsciousness, called the
collective unconsciousness, which holds different idea prototypes which can be used for
observation and interpretation. Truth be told, this is how I see tradition: ideas that have been
recited to us, by our grandparents until we fell asleep to keep us from stepping on the wrong
path. Noble, to say the least. There are many categories of traditions here, considering that
language itself can become a tradition, but maybe the most recognised are those nationality-
wise, which clearly have an important role in shaping who we are as people. When we talk
about tradition I think about all those memorable amazing things that a culture can rely on to
be their “greeting card”, from language to specific clothing articles (such as burka in Arab
countries), rituals (such as the tea ritual in China or Japan), foods (pizza, sushi, hummus,
burger etc.), music or folklore. Every such element represents a culture worldwide and brings
joy to those who learn about it. Moreover, they bring pride to people because they can be
identified by those certain traditions, such as wearing white at funerals, in Arab countries, as
opposed to the west which wears black. The Thanksgiving dinner is another tradition that
stands out and differs itself because it cannot be compared or understood by many peoples.
And that is what tradition should be: unique, shaped by history and social realities, worthy of
sharing and keeping. But when tradition intervenes in our modern world and closes our minds
to important opportunities, that is when it becomes too much.
Tradition represents the base of a very adhered ideology called traditionalism which
upholds certain values and prohibits from changing those and accepting the new. People who
reject the ideas of globalisation, immigrants or climate change have a high chance of
appealing to this ideology, which is good in moderated amounts, but can cause so much harm
if exaggerated. One of the best (worst) examples is Hitler which clearly was in his own ways
a traditionalist, wishing to preserve the pure race of his people. Moreover, I consider that
tradition can actually hold us back from understanding the changes that surround us, keep an
open mind or even cope with the realities that we are seeing. For example, the LGBTQ
community has started to make a permanent appearance in our lives and even the media,
taking a stand and showing their true “colours” in the most beautiful of ways: parades to
celebrate diversity, campaigns or even movements to gain political rights. Traditionalists have
not accepted such “abominations”, taking their initiatives as an affront to religion. As a result,
they have created “reaction” campaigns or parades, which militate for the “traditional family”.
Clearly, this has begun as a way to preach their beliefs but can become so much more, if more
action is taken and develops into a “hunt your prey” kind of situation.
The truth is that, as long as traditions do not interfere significantly into our social lives
they can cause no harm. But that require a very important condition: to not let them control
our lives and be moderate. That eventually leads to other issues such as liberty of expression
and other important human rights, but that is not what this essay should emphasize.
Considering that I have started this essay by saying that we should comply with some
academic rules, I suppose that now comes the expected end. Here it goes…
To conclude, I believe that tradition is dualistic in its nature and it only takes perspective to
change its connotation. However, I really think that is important to see it as what it truly is in
every form: a very important element that shapes personality, knowledge, relations between
human beings, history and civilizations. To acknowledge it, and use it wisely can only lead to
a greater understanding of the world and its diversity, as opposed to exaggerating it and
ruining peace.