What Is Culture?
Culture is a word for the ways of life of groups of people, the habits and attitudes, beliefs and values that make up their lifestyles, passed on by learning rather than heredity. These cultural traits can be found in writing, music, art, fashion, food and many other areas. They are what distinguishes humans from other animals, what makes them unique and human.
People tend to believe that their own culture is the best or most natural, and that other cultures are somehow inferior. But the reality is that all cultures are equally complex and difficult to understand. Attempts to define the term “culture” are often flawed because it is difficult to separate culture from other phenomena such as religion, biology or genetics.
The term is most often used in a positive sense, to refer to a particular group’s superior tastes in the arts and in food, for example Japanese high culture or French haute cuisine. But the word can also be used to describe a particular organization’s culture, including its business ethics and corporate goals. The cultural aspects of an organization can be seen in the way employees treat each other, the company’s beliefs and attitudes, its practices and traditions, and the values it places on important issues such as work/life balance, personal development, and community involvement.
As the study of cultural history has developed, it has been applied to a wide range of subject matter, ranging from parades in 19th century America to the language of 16th-century Spanish texts or the visual practices implied by Italian Renaissance frescoes. While this variety is a sign of the richness and diversity of this new field, there are also commonalities, primarily in its emphasis on socially transmitted patterns of behavior.
The cultural histories of various times and places, whether written or oral, are full of stories about the triumphs and tragedies that arise when man’s values clash with nature. It is the story of how mankind has struggled to overcome the limitations that are inherent in his existence as a living creature, and it is a story of how that struggle has affected the way that humans live and work together.
A major issue in cultural history is the question of how a culture should be preserved or presented, and the role of museums and other public institutions in this process. This debate centers around the need to honor the source communities of the cultural artifacts that museums acquire, by giving them control over how they are understood and displayed, or even if they should be displayed at all. Those involved in the field of cultural history argue that this is an essential part of decolonization and respecting indigenous rights to self-determination. They also argue that the preservation and display of cultural objects is a matter of ethical choice for any museum, not just an issue of survival. This article will discuss these concerns, as well as the importance of maintaining a balance between preservation and innovation in cultural heritage.
Culture is a word for the ways of life of groups of people, the habits and attitudes, beliefs and values that make up their lifestyles, passed on by learning rather than heredity. These cultural traits can be found in writing, music, art, fashion, food and many other areas. They are what distinguishes humans from other animals, what makes them unique and human. People tend to believe that their own culture is the best or most natural, and that other cultures are somehow inferior. But the reality is that all cultures are equally complex and difficult to understand. Attempts to define the term “culture” are often flawed because it is difficult to separate culture from other phenomena such as religion, biology or genetics. The term is most often used in a positive sense, to refer to a particular group’s superior tastes in the arts and in food, for example Japanese high culture or French haute cuisine. But the word can also be used to describe a particular organization’s culture, including its business ethics and corporate goals. The cultural aspects of an organization can be seen in the way employees treat each other, the company’s beliefs and attitudes, its practices and traditions, and the values it places on important issues such as work/life balance, personal development, and community involvement. As the study of cultural history has developed, it has been applied to a wide range of subject matter, ranging from parades in 19th century America to the language of 16th-century Spanish texts or the visual practices implied by Italian Renaissance frescoes. While this variety is a sign of the richness and diversity of this new field, there are also commonalities, primarily in its emphasis on socially transmitted patterns of behavior. The cultural histories of various times and places, whether written or oral, are full of stories about the triumphs and tragedies that arise when man’s values clash with nature. It is the story of how mankind has struggled to overcome the limitations that are inherent in his existence as a living creature, and it is a story of how that struggle has affected the way that humans live and work together. A major issue in cultural history is the question of how a culture should be preserved or presented, and the role of museums and other public institutions in this process. This debate centers around the need to honor the source communities of the cultural artifacts that museums acquire, by giving them control over how they are understood and displayed, or even if they should be displayed at all. Those involved in the field of cultural history argue that this is an essential part of decolonization and respecting indigenous rights to self-determination. They also argue that the preservation and display of cultural objects is a matter of ethical choice for any museum, not just an issue of survival. This article will discuss these concerns, as well as the importance of maintaining a balance between preservation and innovation in cultural heritage.