Culture is an interesting word. At first glance, this concept doesn’t seem too exciting and appears so broad that its meaning seems diluted. From that, one could even prematurely conclude that it is not a particularly important concept. However, if explored deeper, it provides valuable insights, leading to the realization that it is something absolutely crucial for humanity and that neglecting it is to our own detriment.
The etymology of this term reveals its many meanings: it comes from the verb colere, which means “to nurture, protect, cultivate,” but also “to refine, sow, respect, worship, and hold sacred.” It is clearly connected to agriculture, but also to worship (in the sense of honoring God) and community. It evokes the idea of careful cultivation and protection of delicate plants to help them fulfill their potential, which may be a form of showing respect to each of them. It is easy to see the analogy with human upbringing, and its metaphorical meaning “cultivation through education and upbringing” emphasizes the importance of nurturing and preserving the values and traditions of a society.
The concept of “culture” has been confirmed since the Middle Ages. In the broadest sense, culture refers to all of human creative achievement in relation to what nature has created. It involves cultivation in contrast to the natural. It is generally accepted that humans are the only living beings that truly possess culture. Animals are generally not attributed with possessing culture and the ability to transmit knowledge to future generations, except in a genetic sense. Therefore, we can transmit knowledge, values, and ideas that not only help us survive but also allow us to increasingly master our environment.
For some people, culture has a negative, exclusionary meaning; culture can lead to division, class conflicts, clashes of civilizations… On the other hand, most people would agree that culture can lead to a common identity or vision. Thus, culture can both divide and connect.
The solution to this dilemma may lie in understanding culture as a means, not as an end. It is not about the superiority of one culture. Culture is not a competition among different cultures or in search of the “best” culture. Culture is primarily a means by which human beings can develop their own potential, and different cultures will highlight different aspects of our nature. We need different cultures in order to cultivate different aspects of our nature. As Thomas Carlyle said, “Culture is the process by which man becomes all that he was created capable of being.”