The Javanese are the biggest ethnic group in Indonesia. Theirs is one of the great cultural traditions of Asia. Their values and ways of communication strongly influence the national culture of modern Indonesia. In his book, Prof. Magnis-Suseno explores the co-ordinates and values underlying Javanese social conventions and ethical convictions.
After an introductory chapter, Magnis-Suseno gives a short outline of structure and history of Javanese society. Then he explains the fundamental principles of Javanese communication, the underlying world-view, with special attention to the Javanese conception of political power, and general co-ordinates of Javanese moral convictions, which then are exemplified by some special questions. Then two concluding chapters try to put Javanese ethnics and world-view into a more general philosophical perspective.
The absence of specifics investigations of Javanese ethics is to be regretted for three reasons. Firstly, it would surely interest anyone concerned with Indonesia, and especially with Java, or even, generally, with Asian Thinking to know how Javanese society answers the fundamental questions of the rules of life and their underlying values. Secondly, today we live in a world that is increasingly an interwoven unity. There are ever fewer events whose consequences can be limited to restricted areas. Thirdly, an investigation of Javanese morals could profit philosophical ethics.