In commemoration of World Philosophy Day, the Faculty of Philosophy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) hosted a public lecture on Thursday, November 23, 2024, themed “Why Philosophy Matters.” The event featured Prof. Andrew Arana from the University of Lorraine, France, who discussed the concept of localism through a philosophical lens.
The lecture explored how localism, or preference for local matters, is reflected in various aspects of life, such as consumption, language, and even mathematics, and how philosophy uncovers the commonalities between these areas. Prof. Arana began by discussing consumer localism, which is often manifested through a preference for local products.
“In Indonesia, for example, there are campaigns promoting the use of local products, arguing that buying local not only brings economic benefits by supporting small businesses and strengthening the domestic economy but also has a positive environmental impact. Additionally, supporting local products helps preserve traditions and cultures associated with those items,” he explained.
The discussion then shifted to linguistic localism, which Prof. Arana emphasized as playing a key role in preserving cultural identity. He cited policies in France that mandate the use of the French language as an effort to protect national culture from the influence of foreign languages. Prof. Arana also referenced George Orwell, who believed that good language was the foundation of good politics.
By maintaining the integrity of local languages, societies can contribute to the regeneration of culture and politics. However, he also pointed out the challenges of preserving local languages, particularly in countries with many regional languages like France, where language use has become a political debate. “In France, there is the belief that a united country can only be achieved with a single language,” he remarked.
Prof. Arana explained that even in fields considered universal, like mathematics, there are political and cultural values embedded within them. He illustrated how local mathematics can reflect the thinking patterns and needs of local communities, making it part of a larger movement of localism.
Through philosophy, these three types of localism—consumer, linguistic, and mathematical—share a fundamental connection. Prof. Arana emphasized that localism is not merely an individual preference but also reflects larger cultural and political values. Philosophy helps to reveal these interconnections while providing new insights into the importance of supporting local matters in building identity and sustainability.
The public lecture inspired participants to reflect more deeply on their role in supporting local initiatives within their own communities. Through a thorough and critical analysis, the event reaffirmed the relevance of philosophy in understanding and addressing global issues through approaches rooted in the local and familiar.