Culture - Concept and Meaning
Objectives:
• Introduction
• What is Culture?
• Meaning of Culture
• Definition of Culture
• Types of Culture
• Nature of Culture
• Functions of Culture
Introduction
The English word ‘Culture’ is derived from the Latin term ‘cult or cultus’ meaning
tilling, or cultivating or refining and worship. In sum it means cultivating and
refining a thing to such an extent that its end product evokes our admiration and
respect. This is practically the same as ‘Sanskriti’ of the Sanskrit language. The
term ‘Sanskriti’ has been derived from the root ‘Kri (to do) of Sanskrit language.
Three words came from this root ‘Kri; prakriti’ (basic matter or condition),
‘Sanskriti’ (refined matter or condition) and ‘vikriti’ (modified or decayed matter
or condition) when ‘prakriti’ or a raw material is refined it becomes ‘Sanskriti’ and
when broken or damaged it becomes ‘vikriti’.
Culture is a way of life. The food you eat, the clothes you wear, the language you
speak in and the God you worship all are aspects of culture. In very simple terms,
we can say that culture is the embodiment of the way in which we think and do
things. It is also the things that we have inherited as members of society. All the
achievements of human beings as members of social groups can be called culture.
Art, music, literature, architecture, sculpture, philosophy, religion and science can
be seen as aspects of culture. However, culture also includes the customs,
traditions, festivals, ways of living and one’s outlook on various issues of
life. Culture thus refers to a human-made environment which includes all the
material and nonmaterial products of group life that are transmitted from one
generation to the next. There is a general agreement among social scientists
that culture consists of explicit and implicit patterns of behavior acquired by
human beings. These may be transmitted through symbols, constituting the
distinctive achievements of human groups, including their embodiment as artifacts.
The essential core of culture thus lies in those finer ideas which are transmitted
, within a group-both historically derived as well as selected with their attached
value. More recently, culture denotes historically transmitted patterns of meanings
embodied in symbols, by means of which people communicate, perpetuate and
develop their knowledge about and express their attitudes toward life. Culture is
the expression of our nature in our modes of living and thinking. It may be seen in
our literature, in religious practices, in recreation and enjoyment. Culture has two
distinctive components, namely, material and non-material.
Material culture consists of objects that are related to the material aspect of our life
such as our dress, food, and household goods. Non-material culture refers to ideas,
ideals, thoughts and belief. Culture varies from place to place and country to
country. Its development is based on the historical process operating in a local,
regional or national context. For example, we differ in our ways of greeting others,
our clothing, food habits, social and religious customs and practices from the West.
In other words, the people of any country are characterized by their distinctive
cultural traditions
The word ‘culture’ and ‘civilization’ are often used synonymously. However, they
have clearly defined meanings differentiating them. ‘Civilization’ means having
better ways of living and sometimes making nature bend to fulfill their needs. It
also includes organizing societies into politically well-defined groups working
collectively for improved conditions of life in matters of food, dress,
communication, and so on. Thus some groups consider themselves as civilized and
look down upon others. This disposition of certain groups has even led to wars and
holocausts, resulting in mass destruction of human beings. On the other hand
‘culture’ refers to the inner being, a refinement of head and heart. This includes
arts and sciences, music and dance and various higher pursuits of human life which
are also classified as cultural activities. One who may be poor and wearing cheap
clothes may be considered ‘uncivilized’, but still he or she may be the most
cultured person. One possessing ostentatious wealth may be considered as
‘civlilized’ but he may not be cultured’ therefore, when we think of culture, we
have to understand that it is different from civilization. As we have seen, culture is
the ‘higher levels of inner refinement’ of a human being. Humans are not merely
physical beings. They live and act at three levels: physical, mental and spiritual.
While better ways of living socially and politically and better utilization of nature
around us may be termed as civilization. This is not enough to be cultured. Only
when the deeper levels of a person’s intellect and consciousness are brought into
expression can we call him/her ‘cultured.
Objectives:
• Introduction
• What is Culture?
• Meaning of Culture
• Definition of Culture
• Types of Culture
• Nature of Culture
• Functions of Culture
Introduction
The English word ‘Culture’ is derived from the Latin term ‘cult or cultus’ meaning
tilling, or cultivating or refining and worship. In sum it means cultivating and
refining a thing to such an extent that its end product evokes our admiration and
respect. This is practically the same as ‘Sanskriti’ of the Sanskrit language. The
term ‘Sanskriti’ has been derived from the root ‘Kri (to do) of Sanskrit language.
Three words came from this root ‘Kri; prakriti’ (basic matter or condition),
‘Sanskriti’ (refined matter or condition) and ‘vikriti’ (modified or decayed matter
or condition) when ‘prakriti’ or a raw material is refined it becomes ‘Sanskriti’ and
when broken or damaged it becomes ‘vikriti’.
Culture is a way of life. The food you eat, the clothes you wear, the language you
speak in and the God you worship all are aspects of culture. In very simple terms,
we can say that culture is the embodiment of the way in which we think and do
things. It is also the things that we have inherited as members of society. All the
achievements of human beings as members of social groups can be called culture.
Art, music, literature, architecture, sculpture, philosophy, religion and science can
be seen as aspects of culture. However, culture also includes the customs,
traditions, festivals, ways of living and one’s outlook on various issues of
life. Culture thus refers to a human-made environment which includes all the
material and nonmaterial products of group life that are transmitted from one
generation to the next. There is a general agreement among social scientists
that culture consists of explicit and implicit patterns of behavior acquired by
human beings. These may be transmitted through symbols, constituting the
distinctive achievements of human groups, including their embodiment as artifacts.
The essential core of culture thus lies in those finer ideas which are transmitted
, within a group-both historically derived as well as selected with their attached
value. More recently, culture denotes historically transmitted patterns of meanings
embodied in symbols, by means of which people communicate, perpetuate and
develop their knowledge about and express their attitudes toward life. Culture is
the expression of our nature in our modes of living and thinking. It may be seen in
our literature, in religious practices, in recreation and enjoyment. Culture has two
distinctive components, namely, material and non-material.
Material culture consists of objects that are related to the material aspect of our life
such as our dress, food, and household goods. Non-material culture refers to ideas,
ideals, thoughts and belief. Culture varies from place to place and country to
country. Its development is based on the historical process operating in a local,
regional or national context. For example, we differ in our ways of greeting others,
our clothing, food habits, social and religious customs and practices from the West.
In other words, the people of any country are characterized by their distinctive
cultural traditions
The word ‘culture’ and ‘civilization’ are often used synonymously. However, they
have clearly defined meanings differentiating them. ‘Civilization’ means having
better ways of living and sometimes making nature bend to fulfill their needs. It
also includes organizing societies into politically well-defined groups working
collectively for improved conditions of life in matters of food, dress,
communication, and so on. Thus some groups consider themselves as civilized and
look down upon others. This disposition of certain groups has even led to wars and
holocausts, resulting in mass destruction of human beings. On the other hand
‘culture’ refers to the inner being, a refinement of head and heart. This includes
arts and sciences, music and dance and various higher pursuits of human life which
are also classified as cultural activities. One who may be poor and wearing cheap
clothes may be considered ‘uncivilized’, but still he or she may be the most
cultured person. One possessing ostentatious wealth may be considered as
‘civlilized’ but he may not be cultured’ therefore, when we think of culture, we
have to understand that it is different from civilization. As we have seen, culture is
the ‘higher levels of inner refinement’ of a human being. Humans are not merely
physical beings. They live and act at three levels: physical, mental and spiritual.
While better ways of living socially and politically and better utilization of nature
around us may be termed as civilization. This is not enough to be cultured. Only
when the deeper levels of a person’s intellect and consciousness are brought into
expression can we call him/her ‘cultured.
