ROOTED IN TRADITION AND OPEN TO INNOVATION: PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTIONS by Dr. Johnson J. Puthenpurackal

ROOTED IN TRADITION AND OPEN TO INNOVATION: PHILOSOPHICAL REFLECTIONS

Abstract
Tradition and innovation are inseparable dimensions of human existence. The growth of innovation cannot be delinked from the givenness of tradition. Human existence as the never-ending innovative movement consists in one’s fundamental ability to be oneself, to create oneself in freedom. Existence as creativity is rooted in the inevitable givenness. My ability for innovative existence goes with the givenness of my tradition. My ‘looking back’ to tradition is a ‘looking ahead’ to innovation. Then, dwelling on the pairs such as depth and width, width of horizon and depth of essence, historical depth and cultural height, cultural depth and spatio-temporal width, enculturation and inculturation, regionalism and nationalism, individuality and sociality, this study reiterates the relevance and necessity of ‘rooted philosophizing’ as Indian Christians.

Johnson J. Puthenpurackal, “Rooted in Tradition and Open to Innovation: Philosophical Reflections” in Tradition and Innovation: Philosophy of Rootedness and Openness, ed. Saju Chackalackal, 15-34, Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, 2011.