The Value of Tradition
HAROL...@hq.doe.gov
Someone writes in response to Linda's posting on the phrase "In the
West we..."
>The imprimis of "tradition", even the pseudo-tradition of a mere
>three decades, is not sufficient justification to continue a
>practice. Slavery has more "tradition" behind it than abolition.
>Infanticide as a LOT of "tradition" behind it. I can think of a lot
>of things that have "tradition" behind them that still aren't worth
>spit.
>Just because it's been done doesn't mean it's right.
Good gentle, I have seen this arguement raised many times, in many
different contexts. In the past, I have posted my sliding scale of
tolerance-accomodation-faciliatation, which I think makes a useful
tool for analyzing new proposals. In that post, I touched on the
value of tradition and the much maligned "status quo." With the kind
permission of those who read these words, I shall expand upon this
later theme.
I set forth a basic thesis that tradition has value in and of itself.
Tradition forms a link with practices of the past, lending stability
and legitimacy in an ever evolving and uncertain world. In addition,
it provides a set of internal working rules and relations. Traditions
clarify the world. They set boundries. They tell us how to act in
certain circumstances. Further, they provide a shared experience and
culture which forms a bond among those who share in the tradition.
Thus, it seems a poor rhetoric tool, and a misunderstanding of the
important role of tradition, to condemn a matter merely because it
*is* tradition. In your post, you have set forth as archtypal
traditions practices garaunteed to offend modern sensibilities. Are
the practices of the West kingdom truly as deplorable as slavery or
infanticide? I think not.
No doubt you will tell me that you merely wished to demonstrate that
the value of tradition does not justify maintaining any tradition as
attitudes evolve. If this was your intent, I would agree, but I would
urge you not to paint tradition with so broad a rhetorical brush. In
the duel of wit, the rapier is a much better weapon than the
anti-personnel mine. It does less collateral damage, and folk are
more likely to admire good sword work than explosive force.
Further, I find that such arguements lead to a misunderstanding and
denigration of the value of tradition. Certainly traditions should
adapt and change. The link with the past must not become a dead hand
upon our throats, slowly choking the life from us. But, before we
discard a tradition, we should examine the underlying reasons for its
development and its current effects- including the emotional
attachment people may have for it as a tradition.
Such analysis might show that the harm the tradition causes outweighs
the value. Or a new way of doing things may offer such significant
benefits that they outweigh the value of the current practice, even if
the current practice is accomplishing its stated goal. In these
cases, a change is both wise and for the good. But a change merely
for the sake of change, or a change that is made without an
understanding of its consequences- including the emotional damage of
removing a tradition- will almost certainly do more harm than good.
Yaakov
SandraDodd
further point on this:
<< But a change merely
for the sake of change, or a change that is made without an
understanding of its consequences- including the emotional damage of
removing a tradition- will almost certainly do more harm than good.
>>
I don't think traditions can be "removed." They can be disregarded or
violated. The only way to "remove" them is to replace them with something
better, or something (better or worse) accepted by so many people that it
becomes a new tradition. I've seen people in the SCA want to "do away
with" some tradition or another, with no idea whatsoever of something to
put in its place.
AElflaed
Joe Bethancourt
: Greetings from Yaakov.
:
: Someone writes in response to Linda's posting on the phrase "In the
: West we..."
:
: >The imprimis of "tradition", even the pseudo-tradition of a mere
: >three decades, is not sufficient justification to continue a
: >practice. Slavery has more "tradition" behind it than abolition.
: >Infanticide as a LOT of "tradition" behind it. I can think of a lot
: >of things that have "tradition" behind them that still aren't worth
: >spit.
:
: >Just because it's been done doesn't mean it's right.
:
: Good gentle, I have seen this arguement raised many times, in many
: different contexts. In the past, I have posted my sliding scale of
: tolerance-accomodation-faciliatation, which I think makes a useful
: tool for analyzing new proposals. In that post, I touched on the
: value of tradition and the much maligned "status quo." With the kind
: permission of those who read these words, I shall expand upon this
: later theme.
<much good stuff deleted>
And, may I add, that changing a tradition from the top down, as was
recently done here with the titles assumed by Landed Baron/esses on
stepping down, is invariably met with by hostility and contempt.
A tradition, if it is a true one and not the false "three times and it's
tradition" that is sometimes met with, can only be lastingly changed by
the force of public opinion.
--
lock...@locksley.com PO Box 35190 Locksley Plot Systems
White Tree Productions Phoenix, AZ 85069 CyberMongol Ltd
"Do not ascribe your own motivations to others. At best,
it will break your heart, at worst, get you dead."
*song lyrics at ftp.dnaco.net pub/sca/locksley - tapes at 1-510-735-9663*
For a Good Time, call http://www.primenet.com/~ioseph/
Ferret
>I don't think traditions can be "removed." They can be disregarded or
>violated. The only way to "remove" them is to replace them with something
>better, or something (better or worse) accepted by so many people that it
>becomes a new tradition. I've seen people in the SCA want to "do away
>with" some tradition or another, with no idea whatsoever of something to
>put in its place.
This sounds like Gregorian ideas, don't take away the traditions just give
them different meanings. Thus a "pagan" rituals, feasts and names were kept
but with Xtian meanings.
Pretty effective system !
Ferret