Is community possible within culturally diverse societies? As humanity becomes increasingly interconnected through globalization, this question is once more of concern in contemporary thought. This work traces the debate through the works of Arnold, Herder, Adorno, Habermas and others and proposes an alternative that bridges cultural differences without erasing them. He argues that in order to achieve cross-cultural understanding we must establish common aesthetic and ethical standards which incorporate sensitivity to difference.

Is community possible within culturally diverse societies? As humanity becomes increasingly interconnected through globalization, this question is once more of concern in contemporary thought. This work traces the debate through the works of Arnold, Herder, Adorno, Habermas and others and proposes an alternative that bridges cultural differences without erasing them. He argues that in order to achieve cross-cultural understanding we must establish common aesthetic and ethical standards which incorporate sensitivity to difference.