One must suppose that Mr. Lippmann has never heard of France, where the family is strong, and parents very dutiful, in spite of an exceptional freedom in the matter of adultery. Family feeling is extremely weak in America, and the frequency of divorce is a consequence of this fact. Where family feeling is strong, divorce will be comparatively rare, even if it is legally easy.
Source： Bertrand Russell: Marriage and Morals, 1929
More info.：https://russell-j.com/beginner/MM16-140.HTM
* a brief comment:
Japan and the Japanese people are strongly influenced by the United States, particularly in the field of economics. It is often said that “when America sneezes, Japan catches a cold.” Because Japanese people receive a large amount of information about America on a daily basis, many may think they know a great deal about the country and its people. But is that really the case?
For example, how would one react to a line from Today’s Words of Russell: “Family feeling is extremely weak in America”? If someone thinks Russell’s statement must be wrong because Americans are known for their strong family love, could that not suggest that they don’t truly understand the mindset or emotional life of Americans?
That thought led me to engage in a dialogue with ChatGPT.
*** ChatGPT's Response
This passage raises the question of whether Japanese people, despite being strongly influenced by the United States, truly understand American society and the thoughts and feelings of its people. As an example, it cites Bertrand Russell’s statement: “Family feeling is extremely weak in America.”
First, the claim that "family feeling is weak" may come as a surprise to many Japanese people. Through American movies, TV dramas, and news reports, they are often exposed to images of Americans who “cherish family.” Scenes of families gathering for Thanksgiving or Christmas, or parents actively participating in their children’s school events, may lead many to form the impression that the United States is a country where family love is strong.
However, Russell critically points out the weakness of American family ties by contrasting it with France, where, despite a tolerant attitude toward adultery, family bonds remain strong. He cites the high divorce rate as evidence of this weakness, not just in terms of superficial "family events" or displays of kindness, but in the sense of a deep sense of duty and emotional connection among family members. In other words, he is speaking of a lack of essential family feeling.
This observation highlights the risk of being satisfied with a surface-level understanding of cultural differences. While Russell's remark may be somewhat too categorical, the important point lies in the self-reflective question: "Do we truly understand the essence of the culture and emotions of those we believe we know?”
Thus, this passage sounds a warning: even though we receive an overwhelming amount of information about America, we may still be stuck in stereotypes and superficial impressions.
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Source： Bertrand Russell: Marriage and Morals, 1929
More info.：https://russell-j.com/beginner/MM16-140.HTM
* a brief comment:
Japan and the Japanese people are strongly influenced by the United States, particularly in the field of economics. It is often said that “when America sneezes, Japan catches a cold.” Because Japanese people receive a large amount of information about America on a daily basis, many may think they know a great deal about the country and its people. But is that really the case?
For example, how would one react to a line from Today’s Words of Russell: “Family feeling is extremely weak in America”? If someone thinks Russell’s statement must be wrong because Americans are known for their strong family love, could that not suggest that they don’t truly understand the mindset or emotional life of Americans?
That thought led me to engage in a dialogue with ChatGPT.
*** ChatGPT's Response
This passage raises the question of whether Japanese people, despite being strongly influenced by the United States, truly understand American society and the thoughts and feelings of its people. As an example, it cites Bertrand Russell’s statement: “Family feeling is extremely weak in America.”
First, the claim that "family feeling is weak" may come as a surprise to many Japanese people. Through American movies, TV dramas, and news reports, they are often exposed to images of Americans who “cherish family.” Scenes of families gathering for Thanksgiving or Christmas, or parents actively participating in their children’s school events, may lead many to form the impression that the United States is a country where family love is strong.
However, Russell critically points out the weakness of American family ties by contrasting it with France, where, despite a tolerant attitude toward adultery, family bonds remain strong. He cites the high divorce rate as evidence of this weakness, not just in terms of superficial "family events" or displays of kindness, but in the sense of a deep sense of duty and emotional connection among family members. In other words, he is speaking of a lack of essential family feeling.
This observation highlights the risk of being satisfied with a surface-level understanding of cultural differences. While Russell's remark may be somewhat too categorical, the important point lies in the self-reflective question: "Do we truly understand the essence of the culture and emotions of those we believe we know?”
Thus, this passage sounds a warning: even though we receive an overwhelming amount of information about America, we may still be stuck in stereotypes and superficial impressions.
* Amazon Gift Card