{"id":{"repo_id":"nus","oai_identifier":"oai:scholarbank.nus.edu.sg:10635/18213"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/nus/oai:scholarbank.nus.edu.sg:10635/18213","repository":{"repo_id":"nus","name":"National University of Singapore","base_url":"https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Universal Morality in Japanese Tradition","abstract":"This thesis analyses the tension persisting in the debate on moral universalism versus cultural particularism by reassessing two common assumptions: 1) that traditions are either universal or particular, and 2) that persuasion is the appropriate method of cross-cultural conversation. Examining Japan?s Shinto, a seemingly particularist creed, I argue against the first assumption: Shinto displays both particular and universal perspectives. This in turn suggests the plurality of universal moralities across traditions. Henceforth I move onto the second assumption: how to recognize one another?s moral principles. Although embracing universal elements, Shinto ideas constitute particular backgrounds with specific ideals. Moreover, Shinto?s moral teaching begins with individual morality. Therefore, I argue that one should recognize Shinto morality voluntarily rather than as a result of persuasion. Reconsidering the universalist/particularist debate, this thesis aims to broaden one?s view on other people?s traditions.","abstract_html":"This thesis analyses the tension persisting in the debate on moral universalism versus cultural particularism by reassessing two common assumptions: 1) that traditions are either universal or particular, and 2) that persuasion is the appropriate method of cross-cultural conversation. Examining Japan?s Shinto, a seemingly particularist creed, I argue against the first assumption: Shinto displays both particular and universal perspectives. This in turn suggests the plurality of universal moralities across traditions. Henceforth I move onto the second assumption: how to recognize one another?s moral principles. Although embracing universal elements, Shinto ideas constitute particular backgrounds with specific ideals. Moreover, Shinto?s moral teaching begins with individual morality. Therefore, I argue that one should recognize Shinto morality voluntarily rather than as a result of persuasion. Reconsidering the universalist/particularist debate, this thesis aims to broaden one?s view on other people?s traditions.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["RYOKO KITASAKA"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2009,"date_issued":"2009-12-08","date_published":"2009-12-08","updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:33:22Z","subjects":["moral universalism, cultural particularism, tradition, morality, Shinto, Japan"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":null,"outbound_label":null,"outbound_source":null},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["RYOKO KITASAKA"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2009-12-08"]},{"key":"dc:relation.isreferencedby","label":"Dc Relation Isreferencedby","values":["https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/18213"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["moral universalism, cultural particularism, tradition, morality, Shinto, Japan"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/bitstreams/a9eb7dca-272e-4f3f-8292-b9145edc8e78/download"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This thesis analyses the tension persisting in the debate on moral universalism versus cultural particularism by reassessing two common assumptions: 1) that traditions are either universal or particular, and 2) that persuasion is the appropriate method of cross-cultural conversation. Examining Japan?s Shinto, a seemingly particularist creed, I argue against the first assumption: Shinto displays both particular and universal perspectives. This in turn suggests the plurality of universal moralities across traditions. Henceforth I move onto the second assumption: how to recognize one another?s moral principles. Although embracing universal elements, Shinto ideas constitute particular backgrounds with specific ideals. Moreover, Shinto?s moral teaching begins with individual morality. Therefore, I argue that one should recognize Shinto morality voluntarily rather than as a result of persuasion. 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Henceforth I move onto the second assumption: how to recognize one another?s moral principles. Although embracing universal elements, Shinto ideas constitute particular backgrounds with specific ideals. Moreover, Shinto?s moral teaching begins with individual morality. Therefore, I argue that one should recognize Shinto morality voluntarily rather than as a result of persuasion. 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