Multiculturalism and Acceptance of the Other: A Contemporary Philosophical Study

Abstract

The study aimed to define the concept of multiculturalism and the acceptance of the Other. The study comprised three axes.

The first axis addressed the meaning of the concept of multiculturalism, which is based on mutual appreciation, acceptance, and respect for different cultures and joint participation to work together in building unified societies. The second axis, meanwhile, examined the manifestations of cultural multiplicity and difference and their role in societies. The third axis was titled "Multiculturalism and the Acceptance of the Other in Contemporary Philosophical Thought".

The acceptance of the Other and multiculturalism represent a fundamental pillar in understanding and developing human thought, whether in the West or the Arab world. In modern Western philosophy, thought transitioned from the stage of religious and intellectual tolerance to the stage of mutual moral recognition, where respecting the differences of others became a prerequisite for self-formation and achieving social justice.

As for contemporary Arab thought, multiculturalism has developed in the context of the Renaissance (Al-Nahda) and confronting colonialism. Multiculturalism and the acceptance of the Other are not just theoretical concepts but are vital practices for building a cohesive, just society, capable of respecting cultural, intellectual, and social diversity.