Question

What was the reflection on the cultural reflections

Answer 1

Cultural self-reflection is a way of understanding yourself or institution by exploring how the culture you live in shapes who you are.

1. The philosophical definitions and concept of Culture

In this meaning, culture is the way of life of a people. It includes the sum total of their man­nerisms, beliefs, music, clothing, reli­gions, lan­guage, behavioural patterns, food, housing, agri­cultural methods including their traditional behavior in a broad sense, in­cluding their ideas, arts and artefacts. It is the social heritage which an individual acquires from his or her group and which heritage classifies a people as belonging to a group.

Since culture is a way of life, the form in which culture is expressed, its symbols are the objectivities of the life of a people. Culture is distinct from society. It is so­ciety’s way of life. Hence society can re­main when its culture has changed. culture is specifi­cally human. It is learned and not in­stinctive. It varies from group to group and from one priod of time to another within a single group. Cus­toms, beliefs, social struc­tures and institutions can change.

2. Culture and Development

Culture change is a principle of cultural de­velopment. For culture, the law also holds that “unless a grain of seed dies, itself re­mains alone, but if it dies, it generates new life” (Wis­dom words of Jesus Christ in the Bible).

Culture is a project and as such is not merely what it actually is, a people’s way of life, but also what it can become, the level it can attain, its potentialities yet to be devel­oped.

It is in the light of such cultural develop­ment that cultural change is understanda­ble and desir­able. If it were so understood, there would be less lamentation and wail­ing as “things fall apart”, since this can be prelude to a stronger and higher synthesis.

These reflections correspond to the philo­sophical consequences of cultural debates, their denial, acceptance or adherence. It is therefore important for humanity in interna­tional dialogue and debates to engage on a dialogue around culture for CULTURE MATTERS.