The Power of Intentions: Thinking about "Kewa Ethics"

Is there, among the Kewa of Papua New Guinea, a domain which corresponds to what western cultures call "ethics"? The key to comparative study is found in the Kewa notion of "kone" which may, according to the context, be translated as "will," "desire," "me...

Description complète

Enregistré dans:  
Détails bibliographiques
Auteur principal: MacDonald, Mary N. (Auteur)
Type de support: Électronique Article
Langue:Anglais
Vérifier la disponibilité: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
En cours de chargement...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Publié: Wiley-Blackwell 1992
Dans: Journal of religious ethics
Année: 1992, Volume: 20, Numéro: 2, Pages: 331-351
Accès en ligne: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
Édition parallèle:Non-électronique
Description
Résumé:Is there, among the Kewa of Papua New Guinea, a domain which corresponds to what western cultures call "ethics"? The key to comparative study is found in the Kewa notion of "kone" which may, according to the context, be translated as "will," "desire," "meaning," or "intention." The person, say the Kewa, has a hidden aspect, spoken of as "kone," the word for heart. "Kone" is manifested in a person's behavior and is the power by which people project themselves to influence the Kewa cosmos. It causes life to be weak or strong, poor or rich, beautiful or ugly. "Kone" operates through both practical and symbolic processes. Construing ethics as the operation of intentions or desires within a cosmic context enables us to reflect not only on "Kewa ethics" but also on how various cultures understand human behavior.
ISSN:1467-9795
Contient:Enthalten in: Journal of religious ethics