Seeking for the Definition of “Culture”: Current Concerns and their Implications. A Comment on Gustav Jahoda’s Article “Critical Reflections on some Recent Definitions of “Culture’”’

Abstract

This article takes as a starting point the critical analysis of attempts to define "culture", offered by Jahoda in 2012. Basing on the observed proliferation of various, often contradicting, definitions of "culture" (for instance, trying to refer to its both internal and external aspects), Jahoda arrives at the conclusion that attempts to define the concept of "culture" are vain and useless and it is quite practicable simply to use the term without seeking to define it. We find it hard to agree with this statement. Elaborating on Jahoda reflections and drawing on the recent debates in social sciences, cultural studies and philosophy, we argue that seeking for the definition of culture is necessary in the context of contemporary development of social and humanitarian knowledge. Moreover, we claim that the debates about culture indicate the need for a large-scale methodological reorganization of the social and humanitarian sciences, in response to the novel ontological congruence between internal and external, the fundamental "ontological shift", "reversing the poles" of the human-related reality. The human individual becomes its core element and pivot. Other "objects", "external" in relation to the individual (for instance, social structures and institutions), undergo such massive and rapid changes that grow progressively fuzzy and sometimes even less "real", comparing to the individual. The "inner" nature of the individual also transforms: from being "subjected" to think, act and feel according to certain external conditions, an individual becomes an Actor, who is empowered to change the environment following his purposive plans, desires and visions.

Interfaces entre as psicoterapias comportamentais e a cultura

“…Embora seja um conceito recorrente na literatura analítico-comportamental após o artigo Seleção por Consequências (Skinner, 1981), a cultura apresenta difícil definição e consenso (Glenn et al, 2016). Teóricos tanto da AC quanto de outras ciências psicológicas e sociais têm discutido há décadas o que o termo "cultura" designa (Jahoda, 2012;Mironenko & Sorokin, 2018). O conceito é polissêmico e encontra origem comum à palavra cultivo, como em agricultura ou na cultura de bactérias, sendo que apenas em torno do século XIX o termo cultura ganhou um significado próximo ao de civilização ou sociedade (Jahoda, 2012).…”

The role of cultural safety and ethical space within postcolonial healthcare for Maasai in Tanzania

“…In considering the Maasai's access to healthcare, we argue that low uptake of the formalised healthcare system among Maasai people is linked to blame for their 'culture' and for health services not being aligned with their social norms. Although the shifting concept and definition of 'culture' is highly debated, [34][35][36] culture is a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses processes, products and results of human activity, material and spiritual, transmitted from generation to generation in a non-biological way. 34 Yet the focus of culture as only external, differentiated societies and labelled Maasai as 'primitive', 'backwards' or 'different'.…”

“…Although the shifting concept and definition of 'culture' is highly debated, [34][35][36] culture is a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses processes, products and results of human activity, material and spiritual, transmitted from generation to generation in a non-biological way. 34 Yet the focus of culture as only external, differentiated societies and labelled Maasai as 'primitive', 'backwards' or 'different'. Culture is a problematic concept and ways in which it is negatively deployed, results in indigenous groups being blamed for their social norms.…”

The Role of Faculty Member in Jordanian Universities in Protecting Students from Cultural Pollution as Perceived by Students

“…Culture is defined as a transmitted system of symbols, meanings and norms from a historical chronology [19]. Culture is systemic, the system is made up of patterned symbols such as verbal messages, nonverbal cues, emblems and icons, as well as their interpretations or their assigned meaning.…”