Lo sguardo dell’Occidente. I rapporti con l’Altro dall’antica Grecia all’Illuminismo

Abstract

The West has shaped its political and cultural identity in the relationship with Others. It was the close contact with other peoples that caused the birth of critical investigation in Greece and permeated Western thought in all its forms. Through some exemplary figures, ranging from Classical to Modern age, we try to show how the effort aimed at understanding different cultures has been constant throughout European history. Such endeavor can be seen in the relationship with the rest of the world, regardless of the purposes that enlivened these encounters or of the clashes with foreign realities. The continuous dialogue that has ensued has made it possible to develop alternative theories in the relativist or universalist mold, which have allowed us to define the modern concept of tolerance.

Keywords

• european cultural identity
• otherness
• critical investigation
• universalism
• relativism