This study seeks to promote intercultural understanding. Understanding is built on common ground, including a common tolerance of difference and on agreed procedures for living productively with it. This is a pragmatic approach but not an uncritical one. There is room for the critique of those who are also willing to come under critical scrutiny themselves in a situation of mutual cultural exchange and learning. This book provides both an overview of contemporary theories of intercultural understanding and an argument in support of a critical-pragmatic synthesis, informed by postmodernism. It uses poststructuralism, analytical philosophy of language, hermeneutics, critical theory and pragmatism to provide common ground, while recognising differences and limitations. The book concludes by describing a set of complementary methods for the use of critical intercultural professionals, such as social workers, teachers, paramedical workers, nurses, lawyers and doctors. These critical intellectual workers are the essential agents of the growth of cultural tolerance and are key agents for the creation of critical cultural agency.

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