thoughts for Ann

I finally got the book by Fay, and just finished reading the introduction.  I read the relationship between hegemony and framework as the following.  Framework is a perspective, a sensibility, on how you look at the world.  He is saying that this framework is developed from re-enforcement by dominant social and political groups within a society.  This may lead us to problems in deciphering our understanding of another society- as he states "takes one to know one".

I think it is possible to have universal ethical beliefs- we need to ask the right questions.  I think it would be sad if no one could judge another group on their rightmess or wrongness of action.  Many examples come to mind.  Although I think we need to be mindfull of asking the right questions in order not to judge another society by our own standards, it may be possible.  One example to illustrate this point comes to mind.  I think that a universal standard that could be agreed upon is that all socieies place value on taking care of their young.  Our own framework developed through hegemony believes this at all costs.  It is re-enforced through societal norms and laws.  However, there have been other socities that have practiced infanticide.  We as a society may look at this in opposition to the universal we thought we agreed upon.  In deeper reflection, they are caring for their young as often times this is done to take care of the children they already have.  Just a thought that proceded from this first read.