Rival traditions can converge rationally on their shared global disaster threat

Evidence

As a tradition of rational inquiry, Orientalism directly confronts other traditions of an equally rational nature but that differ in their conception of rationality (the assumption being that every tradition has its own version of rational method derived from its own experience and view of the world, including traditions based on what—as outsiders—we might characterize as mythological, metaphysical, cosmological, or otherwise). These have been called rival traditions, not necessarily in the sense of incompatibility that bars dialogue, but rather in the sense of difference that in fact compels these rival traditions to engage in dialogue with a view to (re)evaluating their own narratives, defending, justifying, or modifying them as a response to the challenge from another tradition or traditions. In some cases, a rational tradition becomes associated with political and military power that overwhelms and eventually destroys a rivaling tradition. An example in point is Orientalism itself, as it existed and operated in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in the lands of Islam. Since Napoleon’s conquest of Egypt, it has come to be conjoined with military force that ensured its victory during the process, and in the aftermath, of the institutional destruction of indigenous forms of education and intellectual life (among much else). — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism, 474 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Disasters forge new social bonds via shared external threat. — John Drury and Chris Cocking and Steve Reicher, Everyone for themselves? A comparative…, 16; Shared danger dissolves in-group rivalries into common humanity — John Drury and Chris Cocking and Steve Reicher, Everyone for themselves? A comparative…, 66; Shared emergent identity from common fate explains collective support amid disasters — John Drury, The role of social identity processes…, 15 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Rival rational traditions can destroy each other when joined to military power #complicates (0.82) — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism, 474
• Shared catastrophe briefly unites people across difference before giving way to division and reprisal #complicates (0.80)