Multiculturalism: Is It Really So Difficult to Deal With?

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Johan Leman, 29 June 2026

In discussions about multiculturalism, it is striking how often people reject or glorify cultures as if they were homogeneous entities. Isn’t the truth rather that cultures consist of many different “rooms” or dimensions?

Logic invites us, when encountering another culture, to recognize this variety of dimensions and to assess each of them on its own merits. Some aspects of another culture may be enriching; others may not inspire much enthusiasm but can nevertheless be tolerated; and still others may simply be rejected. Condemning an entire culture as a whole is an attitude that does not stand up well to rational scrutiny.

From this perspective, rejecting another culture in its entirety is hardly wise. Doing so means missing opportunities for personal enrichment. The same applies, however, to accepting another culture wholesale, because one may end up embracing aspects that would be better rejected. As for other elements, one might simply say, “They do no particular good, but they do no harm either.” In such cases, tolerance is an appropriate response.

One thing, however, should be firmly understood: cultures are not homogeneous entities. They consist of a multitude of dimensions. Recognizing this invites a respectful, thoughtful, and reasoned engagement with cultural diversity.

The same applies, in my view, also to the way we engage with worldviews.

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