Epilogue # 1, Tradition

Tradition was the topic discussed in the first Talk Show class after the New Year in Iranian calendar. Now the first question that rises in our mind is about the definition of tradition, what does tradition mean?

Let's take a look at some amazing quotes full of insights about tradition, shall we?

Tradition may be defined as an extension of the franchise. Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead.
By G. K. Chesterton

Traditionalists are pessimists about the future and optimists about the past.
By Lewis Mumford.

Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are those we can't even describe and aren't even aware of.
By Ellen Goodman.

As soon as tradition has come to be recognized as tradition, it is dead.
By Allan Bloom .

Tradition does not mean that the living are dead, but that the dead are living.
By Gilbert K. Chesterton .


Contemplating tradition in a literal manner would grant us with the run-of-the-mill description of the word: a set of belief, customs and pattern of thoughts inherited by an individual from the society of origin. This definition is generally accepted by the majority of people simply because they consider tradition a permanent component of our conscience that regulates our perception and attitude towards the other members of the community and the universe as a whole.
 

However it raises a few vital questions: can tradition be chosen, altered or even totally disregarded?These questions were brought upon in our latest Talk Show.

The majority of participants believed that tradition while derived from culture can be chosen or dismissed. Generally speaking, the younger learners had a far more negative and pessimistic posture towards tradition and considered it an obstacle to globalization and modernization.

On the other hand, the relatively older students unanimously believed that tradition is the exclusive factor that ultimately distinguishes between cultures and make a community unique, and while not every tradition is to be upheld, some traditions (in case of Iran) such as Nowruz are worthwhile and ought to be preserved.

Almost the entire two classes believed that secular traditions are far more acceptable than non-secular ones and they represented specifically Iranian culture in a more direct manner.

Dr.Ali Reza ,one of my learners, mentioned that tradition can indeed be changed through each new generation, although this process is quite time-consuming.

Overall the reaction towards tradition was relatively negative amongst younger participants and neutral between the older ones. It's quite evident that most Iranians these days seek to choose the traditions that are constructive and rightfully theirs and leave out all the rest.

I personally learned a lot thinking about these deep statements , so what have you gotten out of them ? I'll leave you to contemplate on the issue and realize the actual purpose regarding the severe criticism, remember those societies that have not let go of the tradition are the least developed and most superstitious communities in the world ,finally it's all up to you to decide your orientation.