Difference between revisions of "Aidagara (Japan)"

[[File: Hamaguchi chart 1.png|300px|thumb|left|Figure 1: Interaction between individuals. Source: Hamaguchi (1985: Figure 2).]]

[[File: Hamaguchi chart 1.png|300px|thumb|left|Figure 1: Interaction between individuals. Source: Hamaguchi (1985: Figure 2).]]

Hamaguchi argues that methodological individualism cannot capture important characteristics of social relations in Japan and proposes using methodological contextualism instead. Methodological contextualism, in contrast to methodological individualism, assumes that the boundary of an actor covers his or her relations with another actor (see Figure 2 below). Such actors are called contextuals or relational actors in methodological contextualism. Contextuals, in contrast to individuals, cannot exist without their relationship with another actor, because the relationship is a part of his or her self. Furthermore, contextuals do not think that they can fully control their relationship with another actor, while individuals think that their relationship with another actor is in their full control.

Hamaguchi argues that methodological individualism cannot capture important characteristics of social relations in Japan and proposes using methodological contextualism instead. Methodological contextualism, in contrast to methodological individualism, assumes that the boundary of an actor covers his or her relations with another actor (see Figure 2 below). Such actors are called contextuals or relational actors in methodological contextualism. Contextuals, in contrast to individuals, cannot exist without their relationship with another actor, because the relationship is a part of his or her self. Furthermore, contextuals do not think that they can fully control their relationship with another actor, while individuals think that their relationship with another actor is in their full control.

[[File: Hamaguchi chart 2.png|300px|thumb|left|Figure 2: Interaction between contextuals. Source: Hamaguchi (1985: Figure 3).]]

[[File: Hamaguchi chart 2.png|300px|thumb|left|Figure 2: Interaction between contextuals. Source: Hamaguchi (1985: Figure 3).]]

The most important characteristic of ''aidagara'' is that the Japanese do not think that ''aidagara'' between them is a result of their intention, because they do not think that they can control it. Rather, they think that it is created by a power beyond them, which they call en (Hamaguchi 1985<ref>Hamaguchi, E.1985. ‘A Contextual Model of the Japanese: Toward a Methodological Innovation in Japan Studies’, Journal of Japanese Studies 11(2): 289-321.</ref>). ''En'' is thought to be an unobserved power that realises ''aidagara'' between people. Thus the Japanese use the word to positively interpret their new relationship with another person. For example, two Japanese business persons who encounter each other at a business meeting would say, ‘''Koremo nanika no go-en desuraka kongotomo yoroshiku onegaishimasu''.’ (''En'' enabled us to get together, so let’s keep our good relations). ''En'' is also referred to in wedding ceremonies such as in ‘''En ni megumarete kekkon surukotoni narimashita''’. (Good en made us get married).

The most important characteristic of ''aidagara'' is that the Japanese do not think that ''aidagara'' between them is a result of their intention, because they do not think that they can control it. Rather, they think that it is created by a power beyond them, which they call en (Hamaguchi 1985<ref>Hamaguchi, E.1985. ‘A Contextual Model of the Japanese: Toward a Methodological Innovation in Japan Studies’, Journal of Japanese Studies 11(2): 289-321.</ref>). ''En'' is thought to be an unobserved power that realises ''aidagara'' between people. Thus the Japanese use the word to positively interpret their new relationship with another person. For example, two Japanese business persons who encounter each other at a business meeting would say, ‘''Koremo nanika no go-en desuraka kongotomo yoroshiku onegaishimasu''.’ (''En'' enabled us to get together, so let’s keep our good relations). ''En'' is also referred to in wedding ceremonies such as in ‘''En ni megumarete kekkon surukotoni narimashita''’. (Good en made us get married).