Culture to me is something that aids to identify yourself while local culture helps connect you with others around you, producing a stronger society. Culture is adaptive and changes constantly, however many old customs are fading (such as many languages that are not documented) and we are seeing more and more globalization. This is terribly unfortunate as we should be trying to maintain a sense of cultural relativism. We should not be trying to alter other cultures by putting our influences on them "We reject the idea of universal right and wrong" (Cultural Relativism, n.d.) But instead embracing the diversity. I do however believe that agency is an important aspect of human rights, and if there where someone taking part in any culture or practice that they feel is unjust or just choose not to par take in they should have the opportunity to do so.
http://www.cultural-relativism.com/
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You make some good points about cultures being lost and in general I agree with your definition of culture. I wonder though in what way would you see a culture preserve itself? To put it another way, what steps need to be taken in order for a people to preserve their own culture in the face of growing globalization?
ReplyDeleteI also agree with many of your points that you have made about culture fading but I am curious if there may be some reason why this may not be a bad thing? Globalization has had many advantages, and maybe when cultures mix and adapt we might come out with something new and exciting? just a thought..
ReplyDeleteI like your differentiation between the wider concept of culture and local culture.
ReplyDeleteI think that individuals of other cultures may be intimidated by those of a culture that's so sure of itself... perhaps they self-impose our culture over theirs, an assimilation not out of force but out of embarrassment at being different. Of course, there are plenty of examples that support your statement (eg, colonialism), but I think that nowadays we try less to force others to follow our path than we used to.