Cosmo Chapter V-VI

To me, shared horizons of meaning means the same basic understanding of a topic that can be universally accepted. For instance, chapter 5 talked a lot of controversial issues such as abortion. I think that everybody can share the horizon of information as to what abortion is, and what it affects, and can probably even understand the two arguments of both pro choice and pro life. However, what varies is the interpretation as to which side of the argument to fall on. This is where the horizon fades, and disputes occur. We can all agree on what it is, but may not all be able to agree on what is ethical, or what the best solution is to be.

Race, culture, gender, upbringing, etc can all play large factors on shaping a horizon. Many beliefs of ours are first given to us by our parents, and then may be changed later in life based on own experiences. However, the values we are first taught in life remain true until we take the oppurtunity to challenge them. And because of this, cultural upbringing plays a role on decision making and value shaping.

Agreeing on values is nearly impossible as shown by the previous evidence about values that came from all of the preceding readings. However, by debating about one another’s values, and what one believes in, we are likely to open up new doors and insights into values. If everyone in the world believed the exact same things, there would emerge a very bland Unitarian society, one in which free ideas could not be expressed. However, that is not the case and we can talk across boundaries in order to learn new things about ourselves and others.

Appiah uses the phrase “imaginary stranger” as a means to describe a foreign person who seems too different to ever connect. However, once one physically interacts with the person, they begin to find similar shared traits or characteristics that all humans can share. They don’t necessarily have to be universally shared interests, they could even be just shared personal interests. But the point is, once you connect with a person, the imaginary fades and they begin to become a real, and understandable friend. This is the stranger in the other sense, one that you may not be entirely familiar with, but have begun to connect with on some sort of human level.

Additionally, in chapter 6, appiah reminded me a lot of wendell berry. He was talking about returning home, and how he felt as though he belonged, but did not belong at the same time. He said how things were the same, but things had changed as well. Berry said some of the same things, you can always go back home, but it can never the same as it was before. Appiah seems to be bothered to bring people back gifts from America now, a nuisance he would not have had to deal with before he left.