1/25.doc

1/25/10 last lecture: -eurasian mountains help define boundries, but there is no definite boundries -traits that are not based on geography but based on economy - political philosophy- natzi Germany and Russia not considered part of the west -definition of Europe- among the continents, Europe is an anomaly (Europe doesn?t exactly work in how we understand continents) larger than Australia, it is a small appendage of Eurasia. Yet the peninsular and insular western extremity of the continent, thrusting toward the north atlantic ocean, provides- thanks to its latitude and its physical geography - thus Europe doesn?t exactly work if you look at it with the view point of continents -what makes Europe special is it?s a nice place to live as far as weather and geography -implied economic feature- its been economically rich -its very diverse- has many different ethnicities( but despite of the ethnicity Europe is still joined together somehow What is the purpose of this chapter?  -the definition of space is constantly shifting,- concept of western superiority and eastern inferiority. - wants to deconstruct the idea of east and west deconstruct- to take apart the meaning of something that seems natural What is orientalism (see youtube links on D2L to hear more from the man who popularized the term)?  ON TEST the phrase was coined by Edward siede a general perception of the east that was created by the people in the west it ?makes the east as the other? showes the westerners are also key phrase: what makes it different from typical sterotypes?--> whats an diffining feature is that it is a system of knowledge that creates these stereotypes when does oreintalism start? ( napoleans invasion of eygpt 1798 he also brings scientists, archeologists with him study plats writers historians (bring people who create knowledge these people write they essays o n sygypt What cultural traits have been used to define East and West?  West hunger for wealth desire to control and manipulate nature love of freedom desire for growth and development individualism technological progress decent health care competition reason greed/ violence responsibility dynamic associated with the male ?dominant democracy East community-based mystical/ mystery other worldly values irrational stagnant barbaric tradition minority passive receptive carefree low tech respect for nature impoverish overpopulated spiritual/ religious associated with the female- passive, weaker, receiver socialism, communism Do you still these traits used to define people/products/etc that are Asian?  The author says that not so uniformly defined People from the west might have characteristics similar to the east and vice versa Ex. Japan and economic growth( in late 20th centuty, japan became an technological advanced place, cuz it adopted western traits it became powerful Japan became ?wersternized? The greeks were not very democratic- it only happened in Athens- and only rich could vote( needed a military systems for it to work Rationality- ex. Early Christian church- people were going for Some of the religious people from the religion of the west cuz it was not receptive to scientific progress Shows the time wasn?t defined by rationality etc?. Protestnat etic( Capatilism rose in western Europe cuz of an ethic followed by the protestant group leader Weber( idea that capitalism could be traced to attitudes (calvanismsts) This is not practiced anymore This shows that the east west definitions does not cause a split between north and south Even those these traits don?t work they filter into categorries How did Enlightenment thinkers understand Asians/The Orient?  What are "oriental despotism" and the "asiatic mode of production?"