Cultural is a word that encompasses many different aspects of life. The term is generally used to refer to a set of beliefs, values, norms and behaviors that are learned and shared by members of a group or society. These characteristics can vary widely between different cultures, but some common themes are identified by scholars. These include that culture is learned, shared, symbolic, holistic and integrated. It is also seen as dynamic and adaptive.
The term is a key concept in the discipline of anthropology, which examines human societies and their interactions with each other and the natural world. The term is also used to describe the specific traditions of a particular group of people. A wide range of theories and concepts have been developed within this field, with each theory addressing different aspects of culture.
One such theory, popularized by the 19th century classical evolutionists Edward Tylor and Lewis H. Morgan, posited that mankind was endowed with certain mental and physical traits which caused them to develop distinct cultures in accordance with those traits. Other thinkers of the period, known as “diffusionists,” held that human culture was spread from place to place by some undetermined force.
Today, researchers in the field of cultural history study how a culture emerges and develops. They also try to determine what factors contribute to its growth and longevity.
These researchers look at a broad range of sources to understand the nature of a culture, from written texts to the way a culture is manifested in the everyday lives of its members. They are particularly interested in how the beliefs, ideas and traditions of a culture change over time.
While there are many different definitions of the term, scholars have agreed upon some basic principles to guide their research. These include that culture is learned and shared, a sense of identity is built and maintained through the cultural heritage, a cultural context influences social interaction, the cultural environment is dynamic and interactive, and that culture is a system of symbolic meanings.
A significant challenge for researchers in this area is that cultural heritage is often intangible and difficult to quantify. This can make it difficult to protect the integrity of a culture and ensure that it remains viable in an ever-changing world. In addition, migration of people who have a strong connection to their cultural heritage can lead to the erosion of some elements of a culture.
The study of cultural history has been influenced by a variety of theoretical touchstones, from the writings of the French anthropologists Levi-Strauss and Evans-Pritchard to the American theorist Clifford Geertz’s concepts of “thick description” and “deep play”. More recently, scholars have embraced Jurgen Habermas’ idea of the public sphere, and Paul Connerton’s view that a culture is constituted by the way a society remembers itself. These perspectives have contributed to a growing appreciation of the importance of cultural studies in an era of globalization and increasing diversity.