REL 11200 - Religion and Culture - Spring Semester 2025 - Background Studies - Culture

Introduction

  • Religion and culture are powerful aspects of human life that are studied academically.

  • Defining these terms is complex and interlinked with their explanation.

The Study of Culture

  • Historical studies are essential to understanding culture.

  • Renato Constantino emphasizes that history should be analytical and view the past in context to meaningfully understand the present.

Defining Culture

  • The term "culture" originates from the Latin word 'cultura,' meaning "to inhabit," "cultivate," or "honor."

  • Culture encompasses a wide range of human activities, making it difficult to define.

Varied Definitions of Culture

  • Definitions of culture vary by context:

    • Appreciation of literature, music, art, and food (common view).

    • For biologists, it refers to microorganisms in a lab.

    • For anthropologists, it encompasses learned human behavior patterns.

Historical Perspectives

  • Edward B. Tylor defined culture in 1871 as a complex whole, including knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, and customs.

  • Culture is a central concept in anthropology.

Contemporary Views

  • Clifford Geertz defined culture as a historically transmitted pattern of meanings embodied in symbols, shaping communication and understanding.

Complexity in Definitions

  • Kroeber and Kluckhohn noted 164 definitions of culture in 1952.

  • Culture is often stratified in Western societies, distinguishing 'high' culture from 'low' culture.

Basic Sense of Culture

  • Culture can be understood in three basic senses:

    1. Excellence in the fine arts (high culture).

    2. Integrated human knowledge and behavior.

    3. Shared attitudes and practices within groups.

Historical Misconceptions

  • Earlier scholars linked culture with "civilization," contrasting it to "nature."

  • By the late 19th century, culture was broadened to reflect human nature and the capacity for symbolic thought.

Working Definition of Culture

  • A working definition is that culture comprises shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors transmitted across generations, uniting us as social beings.

Functions of Culture

  • Culture unites humans and facilitates social cooperation, allowing for individual and collective achievement.

Conclusion

  • Culture, while a powerful tool for survival, is fragile and constantly evolving.

  • Artifacts are remnants of culture, reflecting the cultural knowledge that produced them without being culture itself.