TRADITION, SEDIMENTATION, AND TRANSFORMATION by Dr. Victor Ferrao

TRADITION, SEDIMENTATION, AND TRANSFORMATION 

Abstract
Human beings are tradition-bound. The dynamism of human beings sets the dynamism of a tradition in a society. The dynamism of a tradition is highly complex, diversely nuanced, and dependent on its context. Along with this complexity, diversity, and context-dependency, there is the problem of us being part of a definite tradition that will certainly interfere in a critical scrutiny of other traditions. Hence, we shall mainly focus on the dynamism of a dominant tradition that turns oppressive and exploitative. Humans, though bound by their traditions, have the ability to transcend the boundaries of their traditions and arrive at a critical re-interpretation that responds to the dominant and dominating traditions. The study attempts to examine how we can intervene and bring about the re-interpretation of a tradition and transform and humanize our society.

Victor Ferrao, “Tradition, Sedimentation, and Transformation” in Tradition and Innovation: Philosophy of Rootedness and Openness, ed. Saju Chackalackal, 87-111, Bangalore: Asian Trading Corporation, 2011.