Toward foundations for intercultural studies

considering mobility studies and the study of religion

Paul Kollman

pp. 39-52

in: Michal Rozbicki (ed), Perspectives on interculturality, Berlin, Springer, 2015

Abstract

When trying to create foundations for a new discipline—in this case, intercultural studies—I am convinced it is better to be bold and clear, even if wrong, than cautious and vague, even if right. Clear statements encourage productive disagreement, an important step for the emergence of genuine insights, especially when compared to hedged about, vague truisms universally and hastily agreed to since they risk so little. A well-expressed, easily understood error can, I believe, be an important, retrospectively verified step in the march toward insight, even if unintended.