Culture or civilization - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Culture, a term both familiar and elusive, describes the complex web of customs, beliefs, social forms, and material traits that characterize a society’s way of life. Often mistaken for mere refinement or high art, culture encompasses everything from daily rituals and culinary traditions to moral codes and artistic expressions, shaping our perceptions and behaviors. The concept is not without its shadows, frequently invoked to both celebrate and marginalize, prompting the critical question: Whose culture are we really talking about?
The earliest known usages of the term can be traced back to the Latin "cultura," initially referring to the cultivation of land. Cicero, in his Tusculan Disputations (circa 45 BCE), metaphorically applied it to the "cultura animi," the cultivation of the soul, suggesting a process of refinement through intellectual and moral development. It is interesting to note, though, that such philosophical musings occurred amidst the backdrop of relentless Roman expansion and social upheaval. This raises the question of to what extent this early concept of the "cultura animi" mirrored and justified the power structures of the time.
Over the centuries, the meaning of culture expanded significantly. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Enlightenment thinkers and Romantic intellectuals like Johann Gottfried Herder radically shaped the idea. Herder, in his Ideas on the Philosophy of the History of Mankind (1784-1791), championed the notion of distinct national cultures or "Volksgeister," shifting focus from individual refinement to collective identity. This shift fueled both nationalistic fervor and anthropological inquiry. Did this romantic perception of "Volksgeister" provide an impetus for the later academic development of cultural anthropology? The subsequent rise of anthropology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, spearheaded by figures like Edward Burnett Tylor, further solidified culture as the central concept for understanding human societies.
Today, culture remains a highly contested and dynamic concept. From debates about cultural relativism to considerations of globalization's impact on local traditions, the term reflects a complex and multifaceted reality. It is used to understand everything from corporate environments to gender roles and international relations. This enduring legacy compels us to look beyond simple definitions and engage with the profound questions about identity, power, and change that culture embodies, inviting us to explore the ever-evolving tapestry of human experience.