The Paradox of Culture

Culture is the umbrella word that encompass the accumulated norms and behaviors observed in various human cultures, as well as the shared beliefs, knowledge, arts, skills, laws, traditions, powers, and customs of the people in those cultures. Since language is a unique way of communication between people, culture can also be described as the written or oral manifestations of a society’s culture. In most societies around the world, some kind of communal interaction occurs to pass information and experience to younger generations. The written word has played a crucial role in transmitting information throughout the ages, as it allows people to express their thoughts and ideas to one another.

Over time, different cultures have developed and differences in cultural values have emerged. For example, African and Asian cultures have different beliefs when it comes to family and marriage, while differences in religious practices persist among the countries. Another example is the manner by which Chinese and Japanese interact with one another, despite the fact that both cultures speak the same language and have similar traditions regarding marriage and family. While these seemingly minor differences may seem insignificant on the surface, they can serve as a source of tension between two different cultures.

As one progresses in his or her career as a professor of humanities, culture may not only play a significant role in shaping his or her thought but also in molding his or her students’ responses to issues of social justice, social change, and issues of society and identity. Since gender and power are central to the study of culture, academics who espouse a liberal perspective on these issues may find themselves at odds with colleagues who adhere to a more conservative point of view. Similarly, scholars who advocate the rights of indigenous peoples may find themselves at odds with colleagues who defend indigenous rights. With increasing inter-cultural communication and contact across borders, there has been a growing challenge for academics to define and articulate an acceptable line on the definition of culture.