In Defence of Traditio
Yajika Daga
A link to the past, not rules but rather nonpareil touchstones, traditions are paramount to capture the
moments that mean the most to us. Be it the habits customary in the past, or rather forsaken ones in
recent decades- handed down from one generation to another, traditions are an inseparable part of
us. Giving us something to look forward to, to be frivolous and enjoyable while keeping us
grounded. These constant paragons give us hope and a sense of belonging. Eating dinner together as
a family, serving water to guests, eating something sweet to start-off a new chapter in our life.
These traditions have now become our habits, imbuing with emotions, this is one aspect as to why
we value them so much
Nexus of past
The brown rack near the entrance is of utmost importance to us, after all that is where we keep our
shoes! Taking off the shoes as we enter our houses is tradition, more so it has blended in our lives as
a habit- to not bring along the germs and dirt, the shoe picked up.
Numerous traditions like these are the profound decisions of the past. Rather, for the bene t of
society, some need to evolve with us. A healthy society doesn't preserve traditions it no longer
needs, thus shedding the foregone and acknowledging the new and bene cial ones.
A paradigm of this, are the traditions that involved animal cruelty. In righteousness, culture and
tradition must evolve to ensure no animals are harmed. Cruelty meted out to animals is unjusti ed,
and is an exemplar to demonstrate that traditions discontinue for a better world at large.
The fence- justi ed thinking
GK Chesterton, a proli c author gave a principle of ‘the fence’ stating- “Do not remove a fence
until you know why it was put up in the rst place”. Along the lines, if a fence exists, there is likely
a reason for it. Although the reason stated might be unreasonable and awed, it gives us insight.
Until we establish the particular reason, an intent to take an axe to it is unjusti ed. That is the
essence of traditions. Having prevailed through the past, witnessed generations, the impervious
traditions need our time- to think ef ciently and to the advantage of everyone. We offer
What in the society exhibits the power of people’s beliefs? It is tradition with its rather profound
effects. On even grounds, they must evolve with us, but with an orderly thought process. It isn’t
justi ed that decision of mere seconds wreck the past with no bene t to society. Second-order
thinking is what must prevail, to guide everyone, in this process
Guiding eloquenc
They are valuable assets of our society. While they transpose and evolve, it is perpetually normal,
eventually conforming to our lives as much as we do to them. The world evolves, but the
quintessential part of us humans- the fears, struggles, happiness- inherently de ne our nature.
Tradition, that being so, is a hair-splitting yet pivotal prompt of ourselves, fostering a sense of
belonging, a guiding eloquence
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