The Development of Culture
The development of culture is an extremely controversial debated topic. Culture, often affiliated with different countries, though it can be separated within one, varies with clothing, food, language, and customs. But where did these different, yet specific affiliations come from? When first settling on unmarked land, people survive by planting, harvesting, hunting, and gathering from their surroundings. Clothing will depend upon a culture's beliefs, habitual climate, and resources. Crops will depend upon the land and weather. From there, civilization is developed through means of politics, trading and industrialization. People will create structure to their society through election of their people. Laws will be made to protect the common good of society. Different forms of currency and trading laws will be created to trade what one has for what one wants. Thus with all these changes, new industries may be made as each of these aspects grow. But in each culture, these specific aspects form differently. What may seem normal in one country can seem outrageous in another. Analyzing the cartoon below, an (what it is depicted as) American woman and a Muslim woman pass each other on the same street, judging the other on her appearance. The American woman looks down upon the Muslim woman for allowing herself to be dominated by her culture to completely cover her entire body. The Muslim woman shows concern for the American for flaunting her body in such a way that only her eyes are covered. This cartoon perfectly depicts the extreme differences many cultures face. These differences need to be accepted in order to attain peace and understanding throughout not only a country, but the world.
http://thebaochi.com/2011/10/20/muslim-women-versus-american-women-cartoon/
http://thebaochi.com/2011/10/20/muslim-women-versus-american-women-cartoon/
Sticking to Tradition in a Contemporary Culture
The definition of tradition is an "inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior"(1) and contemporary is defined as "marked by characteristics of the present period; modern or current" (2). Clearly these two words have extremely different, if not close to opposite meanings. Thus how is tradition supposed to be kept in a culture with consistent fluctuating beliefs, ideas, and customs . This can specifically pertain to religious views. In our dynamic decade, technology and pop culture seem to take over our nation. With new advances in technology, there are more discoveries in science that can challenge certain beliefs, such as how the world was created, options of abortion and in vitro fertilization, the death penalty, and whether or not there actually is a God. Pop culture can blind society from everything else going in the world with the news of new music, movies and celebrities. Miley Cyrus is a perfect example of how girls are following and supporting her outrageous ways since Miley was their idol when they were a child. Thus society is conforming its culture though the ways of new technology and keeping up to date with pop culture, which is aided by new forms of social media, that often times tradition is lost in the mix. "This question is of particular urgency when a culture which arises from the enormous progress of science and technology must be harmonized with a culture nourished by classical studies according to various traditions" (3).
Culture is like the growth of a human. Both start immature and naive. As each of them age, they become more developed and aware of the surroundings. A human, as well as culture, learn from past mistakes to form a new path to follow. Both can take a road less traveled than can further harm itself or create extraordinary accomplishments. But just as bodies do when they are placed in a grave, a culture can deteriorate as well. Is this the beginning of the end of what culture is in our world? Or is this just the new definition of culture?
http://centralcurrentevents.blogspot.com/2011/02/political-cartoon_25.html
(1) http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tradition
(2)http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemporary
(3) Gauidum et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. 7 December 1965. (Section 56).
The definition of tradition is an "inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior"(1) and contemporary is defined as "marked by characteristics of the present period; modern or current" (2). Clearly these two words have extremely different, if not close to opposite meanings. Thus how is tradition supposed to be kept in a culture with consistent fluctuating beliefs, ideas, and customs . This can specifically pertain to religious views. In our dynamic decade, technology and pop culture seem to take over our nation. With new advances in technology, there are more discoveries in science that can challenge certain beliefs, such as how the world was created, options of abortion and in vitro fertilization, the death penalty, and whether or not there actually is a God. Pop culture can blind society from everything else going in the world with the news of new music, movies and celebrities. Miley Cyrus is a perfect example of how girls are following and supporting her outrageous ways since Miley was their idol when they were a child. Thus society is conforming its culture though the ways of new technology and keeping up to date with pop culture, which is aided by new forms of social media, that often times tradition is lost in the mix. "This question is of particular urgency when a culture which arises from the enormous progress of science and technology must be harmonized with a culture nourished by classical studies according to various traditions" (3).
Culture is like the growth of a human. Both start immature and naive. As each of them age, they become more developed and aware of the surroundings. A human, as well as culture, learn from past mistakes to form a new path to follow. Both can take a road less traveled than can further harm itself or create extraordinary accomplishments. But just as bodies do when they are placed in a grave, a culture can deteriorate as well. Is this the beginning of the end of what culture is in our world? Or is this just the new definition of culture?
http://centralcurrentevents.blogspot.com/2011/02/political-cartoon_25.html
(1) http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tradition
(2)http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contemporary
(3) Gauidum et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. 7 December 1965. (Section 56).
(3) Gauidum et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. 7 December 1965. (Section 56).
The Definition of America: an Immersion of Cultures within One
Coca Cola Commercial- America is Beautiful
Coca Cola's 2014 Superbowl commercial is an accurate image of the American culture. Not only did the blending of different languages singing the song, "America the Beautiful" sound beautiful, but it is a beautiful representation of how the American culture is not just made up of "Americans", but rather a mixture of different cultures from around the world. We may not all look alike, sound alike, or know what the other is saying, but we do all unite under one nation to form a country that people strive and love to live in. America is a prime example of how a country is able to not only function, but grow into one of the most prosperous countries with such a wide range of opinions, beliefs, and customs.Gaudium et Spes taking on Contemporary Culture
Gaudium et Spes (GS), a pastoral constitution formulated by the Second Vatican Council, takes on the definition and formulation of culture and how it applies to our times through the eyes of the Catholic Church. Regardless that we live in the "new age of human history", culture allows man to come to a fully true humanity though his own development, through his labors and works, of what his culture actually is(1). The church has also aided in the development of culture, such as the creation certain laws, customs, and beliefs. Yet, "it is sometimes difficult to harmonize culture with the Christian teaching" (2). The church recognizes the new signs of the times, which can be interpreted as our society revolving itself around technology, pop-culture, new psychological studies, and sprouting radical beliefs, both challenged and accepted. But the church also looks for new ways of dealing with these changes.GS first recognizes that the development of culture was intended by God, so that man "carries out the design of God manifested at the beginning of time to subdue the earth, perfect creation, and develop himself"(3). From there, we are less subjected to material things to find full tranquility in the worship and discovery of God. The problem is that our culture does not function in this way. New investigations, aided by technology and new beliefs, remove a society from God's original plan of a culture and pushes it towards seeking new advances. GS believes that this can cause society to no longer seek a higher being or belief. Thus, "it is necessary to do everything possible to prevent culture from being turned away from its proper end" (4). But what is cultures proper end? That all seek to find true manifestation in God and formulate a culture likewise? All these advances can also cause a person to seek a deeper understanding with their faith. Thus are these changing times helping or hurting society's faith in God?
GS ends this section on culture with a prayer to God asking to help society navigate through the changing times to still seek the final end, heaven. Starting from proper education, different cultures can achieve God's original purpose of culture.
(1) Gauidum et Spes: Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. 7 December 1965. (Section 56).
(2)" (Section 62).
(3) "(Section 57).
(4) "(Section 59).
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