Definition of Culture
Written by Ayatollah Ali Akbar Rashad, Head and Founder of the Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought, on the occasion of the National Conference on the Philosophy of Culture, emphasizing the views of Ayatollah Khamenei
The definition of culture is a complex and controversial subject, and throughout history, various schools of thought have offered multiple definitions of it. One might say that there are as many definitions of culture as there are thinkers in this field. However, this does not prevent us from seeking a correct and superior definition of culture. This definition has been formed from the perspective of Islamic Philosophical discipline and with a rational and retroactive view.
We consider culture to be:
“A wide spectrum of insights, dispositions, inclinations, and actions that are harmoniously shaped by the human community, rooted in established norms and ancient traditions, and serve as the meaning-giving and guiding force for the mind and life of humans. It manifests as a secondary nature and collective identity of a group of humans within a specific time span and geographical context.”
Below, we will explain the components of this definition based on the terms and phrases used within it:
- “Spectrum”: This term refers to the rainbow-like arrangement of “elements and layers that make up culture.” Culture takes shape as a “spectrum-prism” system of “elements” and “components.” (This indicates the epistemic geometry and formal structure of culture.)
- “Wide range of…”: This descriptor for the spectrum emphasizes the plurality of components and elements; this means that culture does not form simply by an accumulation, however small, of any of the four cultural components in the minds and lives of a group of humans, nor does it make them deserving of being called culture. Culture requires a substantial set of these components to be formed.
- “Insights, dispositions, inclinations, actions”: These four components are the main elements that constitute the dimensions and broad categories of culture; the listed order reflects the sequence and hierarchical importance of these components (from most to least important). These four categories are interrelated:
- “Insights”: This refers to the collection of “worldview-related beliefs” that dominate the consciousness of people in any given culture. This component forms the deepest and highest layer of the cultural spectrum.
- “Dispositions”: This encompasses the ingrained traits that are perceived as intrinsic characteristics of the people within the culture. This component is influenced by “insights” and, together with it, creates the “inclinations” and generates the “actions.”
- “Inclinations”: Common definitions of culture often neglect the importance of “tastes and preferences” as a key component of culture. However, “pleasures and dislikes,” as unwritten codes, along with “social emotions” and elements like “food, clothing, and shelter,” form a major part of the “lifestyle” of societies, which is an important facet of culture. This component is deeply influenced by the previous two components.
- “Actions”: These refer to habitual behaviors. Actions manifest in “rituals,” “customs,” and “shared habits,” and together form a significant part of the culture.
- “Harmoniously shaped”: This word suggests the internal coherence of cultures. Although cultures are formed from a wide spectrum of components and elements, the “elements and components are harmoniously combined.” As such, the elements entering any given culture are necessarily either rejected or absorbed, altered, and integrated into it. Depending on the intensity and volume of external influences, prior components may also be affected by later ones. (The nature and characteristics of culture.)
- “Human-community oriented”: Culture is meaningless without humans, just as humans without culture are impossible. Humans can be described as cultural beings. (The nature and characteristics of culture.)
- “Socially born”: Culture is inherently social; its birthplace and dwelling are all human contexts. Culture does not apply to individual insights and actions, but to collective behaviors and norms. (The nature and characteristics of culture.)
- “Normative”: This term indicates that for something to become part of culture, it must be accepted by the general members of a specific social group. Religion, ethics, tendencies, and behaviors become part of culture when they are established as “norms” in a particular society, and when they play a significant role as standards or models. (Cultural characteristics.)
- “Durable”: Culture is persistent and resistant to change. Cultural elements sometimes take the form of sediments of centuries, settled and hardened in the minds, language, and lives of individuals within a society. (Cultural characteristics.)
- “Meaning-giving”: Culture imparts meaning to the life and livelihood of humans. (Functional analysis of culture.)
- “Guiding the mind”: The components and elements of each culture, both consciously and unconsciously, influence the knowledge of its people. As such, the clarity or confusion of knowledge is often determined by the culture in which it is situated. (Functional analysis of culture.)
- “Guiding life”: Culture directs the lives of its members to the extent that lifestyle is considered a direct result of culture, or even a part of it. (Functional analysis of culture.)
- “Secondary nature”: This term refers to the internalization, persistence, and stability of cultural elements. (The nature and characteristics of culture.)
- “Collective identity”: Different nations and societies are distinguished from each other by their culture; culture serves as the collective identity of societies. (Functional analysis of culture.)
- “A spectrum of humans”: The aforementioned components, when they dominate the minds and lives of a group of people, are considered culture.
- “Within a specific time span”: Despite its persistence, culture is time-bound. (Cultural characteristics and rulings.)
- “And within a specific geographical context”: Every culture has a particular homeland and environment. The term “global culture” is theoretically possible, but practically (due to the significant role of local factors in shaping cultures) it has not yet materialized and is only achievable under exceptional conditions. (Cultural characteristics and rulings.)
