Intimacy or Integrity

Kasulis has done us an immense service in reminding us that philosophy is not 'the view from nowhere' but is rooted in cultural assumptions and that those assumptions influence both what is observed and what is concluded from what is observed. He chooses one particular axis of difference, intimacy vs. integrity, and shows us how in many contexts these two starting points lead to very different views, not only cross-culturally but in other areas as well. He provides the additional service of showing that recognition of cultural difference does not lead to relativism about truth. All in all, an extremely valuable book that should interest a wide audience.--Robert N. Bellah
This bold work, from a philosopher long at home in both Western and East Asian thinking, tackles head-on the urgent need of our time: how to evaluate fundamental differences between cultures. As a master teacher, Kasulis shows us how our language and style of analysis bring into relief different groups with whom we interact. He trains us to move gracefully from one mode of orientation to another, adapting to the cultural company we keep. Given the stakes in today's world, this invitation to deeper, more fruitful relationships among cultures demands our full attention.--Lawrence E. Sullivan
This is a truly pathbreaking work in the field of cross-cultural philosophy. In choosing the two ideas of intimacy and integrity in their various connotations and reiterations, Kasulis provides a pair of effective instruments with which to examine the genuine differences that separate the world views and practices of different cultures.--Graham Parkes