Actually John...you've given most of us pause to reflect on the word "culture..." and what it means for different countries. And different nationalities.
I wonder if it is the word itself that we are using incorrectly.
What is it that compels a group of people to have no qualms at all when thinking, and then acting out, the plot to murder thousands of people. Innocent people at that. And whose leader has vowed "Death to Americans everywhere."
You said before: AlQaeda.
What is the force that compels people to become "Al Qaeda" or any other group that believes they have the right to mass murder innocents?
There are many interesting discussions to be found on "definitions of culture" on the web....
wsu.edu:8001/vcwsu/commons/topics/culture/culture-index.html
Please recognize that, at present, these pages focus on the concept of culture as it has been articulated in Western scientific and philosophical traditions. The English word "culture" is similar to words in other Romance languages, and indeed the concept has a similar history in many Western countries. In other parts of the world, however, the elements of learned behaviors and meanings systems which we identify as representing something called "culture" might not be grouped together the same way. Consequently, the definitions and discussions of culture which we've collected here are all from Western sources. In contrast, the Western concept of culture can be applied to or exemplified by any human society, and therefore many of our examples and illustrations focus on non-Western peoples.
wsu.edu:8001/vcwsu/commons/topics/culture/culture-definitions/whose-text.html
If you're in the field, give us some evidence of your credentials. If not, give me some evidence of the source of that quote.
Recognize that the position you take in this debate about culture -- whatever position you take -- is a political one with implications about what we should value, what we should praise, what we should accept, what we should teach. When you reflect on this debate, when you contribute your own voice to the discussion, try to be aware of the implications that follow from your position. When you listen to the voices of others, try to listen with awareness, deciding for yourself what is at stake and how their positions relate to your own. |
