Westernization

About: Westernization is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1154 publications have been published within this topic receiving 15791 citations. The topic is also known as: occidentalization.

Science, Westernization, and Feng Shui in Early Twentieth-Century China

Abstract: Since the 1911 overthrow of the Manchu dynasty and the creation of modern political China, each generation has grappled with issues about the maintenance of Chinese culture, specifically its mixed Confucian/Daoist traditions, alongside the modernization of society. It is useful to put this ‘feng shui and modernization’ question into historical context. There was, and is, a significant internal Chinese tradition that views feng shui in the same light that outsiders such as Matteo Ricci and Ernst Eitel did, and see the comparable social and cultural changes required for remediation of its detrimental impact on the country. This Chinese cultural ‘reformist’ tradition has both philosophical and political dimensions. By the late-nineteenth century, there had been a number of Chinese translations of European scientific and mathematical works which were read by ever increasing numbers of scholars. In the three centuries following Ricci’s death, Western science had made precious little impact in China. Knowledge of Western science was confined to a miniscule portion of the mandarin class, and there it was understood in utilitarian terms and pursued mainly for technological advantage. The argument of this book is that what is needed for genuine modernization is engagement with scientifically informed philosophy, not just with Western philosophy. Of fundamental importance was the late-nineteenth-century introduction of European science and mathematics as optional subjects in the 2000-year-old system of Civil Service Exams. The modernization of thought called for by twentieth-century Chinese scholars echoes the Enlightenment project launched in Europe in the eighteenth century. This is clear in the writings, achievements, and tribulations of Fang Lizhi, the prominent cosmologist and astrophysicist.

Critical analysis of the ottoman constitution (1876)

Abstract: The conceptions of an individual and the nation-state gave birth to modernity and certainly shaped the socio-political systems in European countries. Newly founded European socio-political system gradually influenced social, political and legal structures of countries under the sphere of colonial and imperial influences of great powers. In this regard, such developments coupled with intensive westernization process influenced the Ottoman society, especially during the last decades of the empire. An analysis of the Ottoman Constitution (Kanun-u Esasi) (1876) within last few decades of the empire will show such socio-political and legal changes and developments. This paper, within the framework of constitutional acts, attempted to analyze two works that were critical about the Ottoman Constitution (1876). It is indicative that these two sources were also addressing western socio-political and legal influences on the Ottoman society. These two works deal with range of modern issues such as freedom, equality and justice by considering their very roots in the Islamic legal traditions. Therefore, this paper will analyze these two works in light of the Ottoman Constitution (1876) that preserved in essence the Islamic legal principles.

Hirai Kinza and Unitarianism

Abstract: In 1893, the World's Parliament of Religions was held in Chicago together with the World Columbian Exposition. Both events received much attention and had a great influence both contemporarily and afterwards. During the Parliament, Japanese Buddhism was introduced to the American audience by a delegation of Japanese Buddhists. One of the Buddhist delegates, Hirai Kinza, criticized Christian missionaries for contributing to the imperialistic cultural invasion of Oriental nations. Hirai's criticism was motivated by national consciousness aiming to build an equal relationship between Japan and Western nations. However, Hirai later became one of the early members of the Unitarian Church in Japan, and after that even became engaged in occultism. Why did his attitude change? This article provides an account of the transitions in his thought. By focusing on Hirai Kinza's life, thoughts and activities this study attempts to shed new light also on the broader social, cultural and religious situation of the Meiji Period. It is indeed during this period, which was characterized by rapid modernization and Westernization, that Hirai's viewpoint underwent significant transformations.

The Impact of Westernization on the Insulin/IGF-I Signaling Pathway and the Metabolic Syndrome: It Is Time for Change

Abstract: The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of overlapping conditions resulting in an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In the last few decades, prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the Western world has reached epidemic proportions and this is likely due to alterations in diet and the environment as well as decreased physical activity. This review discusses how the Western diet and lifestyle (Westernization) has played an important etiological role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome and its consequences by exerting negative effects on activity of the insulin–insulin-like growth factor-I (insulin–IGF-I) system. It is further proposed that interventions that normalize/reduce activity of the insulin–IGF-I system may play a key role in the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome. For successful prevention, limitation, and treatment of the metabolic syndrome, the focus should be primarily on changing our diets and lifestyle in accordance with our genetic make-up, formed in adaptation to Paleolithic diets and lifestyles during a period of several million years of human evolution. Translating this insight into clinical practice, however, requires not only individual changes in our food and lifestyle, starting in pediatric populations at a very young age, but also requires fundamental changes in our current health systems and food industry. Change is needed: primary prevention of the metabolic syndrome should be made a political priority. New strategies and policies should be developed to stimulate and implement behaviors encouraging the sustainable use of healthy diets and lifestyles to prevent the metabolic syndrome before it develops.