Concept of civilization
A civilization is a complex human Society, usually made up of different cities, with certain characteristics of cultural and technological development. In many parts of the world, early civilizations formed when people began coming together in urban settlements. However, defining what civilization is, and what societies fall under that designation, is a hotly contested argument, even among today’s anthropologists.
The idea that civilization equates to the summit of Human Development is long established in our history and relates directly to the rise of cities and states. However, with the triumph of evolutionism as a scientific theory, this definition was cemented; evolutionism not only impacted the natural sciences, but also greatly affected the social sciences such as history, archeology and anthropology. Thus, the most remote human past began to be explained not in religious or mythical terms, but under a scientific pattern: from the origin of man until the outbreak of civilization which took place more than 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Archaeological record demonstrates that early humans practiced nomadism for many thousands of years and had a simple —though not easy— life as hunter-gatherers. However, at the end of the last Ice Age (circa 10,000 BC) a radical change occurred and the human Population entered a stage of progressive settlement that altered their strategy for survival: in addition to hunting and gathering, men began to domesticate Plants and animals, thus becoming farmers and shepherds. Archeologist Gordon V. Childe called this process the “Neolithic Revolution”. And, between 4000 and 3000 BC, after a few millennia of Neolithic communities which had been developing in several areas of the world, the first known civilizations appeared, first in Mesopotamia and soon after in Egypt. Some centuries later, civilization emerged strongly in other parts of the world: the Indus Valley, China and finally the New World.
This new breakthrough, the so called “Urban Revolution”, was characterized by several milestones:
- Population was divided into small rural villages and large settlements which eventually became cities.
- A centralized religious-political power grew in the cities, achieving control over vast areas and thus creating the first state structures. Administrative apparatus and legal doctrines were created as a support for these structures.
- The surplus of Resources promoted Growth and economic exchange, leading to the development of trade.
- Society was stratified in several levels; there was a progressive specialization of work, especially in the Environment/”>Urban environment.
- Systems of writing appeared as a means of recording and managing information (a factor that eventually led to the creation of predominant historical cultures).
- There was significant progress in science and technique in general, particularly in terms of practical application. An important material culture was developed in various arts and industries.
Concept of culture
Sometimes culture is used in popular discourse to refer to a celebration or an evening of entertainment, as when one speaks of a ‘cultural show’. In this sense, culture is identified with aesthetics or the fine arts such as dance, music or drama. This is also different from the technical meaning of the word culture. Culture is used in a special sense in anthropology and Sociology. It refers to the sum of human beings’ life ways, their behaviour, beliefs, feelings, thought; it connotes everything that is acquired by them as social beings.
The “material Elements that are made and used in accordance with socially inherited tradition” should be called culture objects. Others include in culture all the major social components that bind men together in society. For instance, the British anthropologist Malinowski included ‘inherited, artifacts, implements and consumer goods’ and ‘social structure’ within his definition of culture.
Characteristics of culture are as follows:
Learned Behaviour
Not all behaviour is learned, but most of it is learned; combing one’s hair, standing in line, telling jokes, criticising the President and going to the movie, all constitute behaviours which had to be learned.
Sometimes the terms conscious Learning and unconscious learning are used to distinguish the learning. For example, the ways in which a small child learns to handle a tyrannical father or a rejecting mother often affect the ways in which that child, ten or fifteen years later, handles his relationships with other people.
Culture is Abstract
Culture exists in the minds or habits of the members of society. Culture is the shared ways of doing and thinking. There are degrees of visibility of cultural behaviour, ranging from the regularised activities of persons to their internal reasons for so doing. In other words, we cannot see culture as such we can only see human behaviour. This behaviour occurs in regular, patterned fashion and it is called culture.
Culture is the Products of Behaviour
Culture learnings are the products of behaviour. As the person behaves, there occur changes in him. He acquires the ability to swim, to feel hatred toward someone, or to sympathize with someone. They have grown out of his previous behaviours. In both ways, then, human behaviour is the result of behaviour. The experience of other people are impressed on one as he grows up, and also many of his traits and abilities have grown out of his own past behaviours.
Culture includes Attitudes, Values Knowledge
There is widespread error in the thinking of many people who tend to regard the ideas, attitudes, and notions which they have as “their own”. It is easy to overestimate the uniqueness of one’s own attitudes and ideas. When there is agreement with other people it is largely unnoticed, but when there is a disagreement or difference one is usually conscious of it. Your differences however, may also be cultural. For example, suppose you are a Catholic and the other person a Protestant.
Culture is shared by the Members of Society
The patterns of learned behaviour and the results of behaviour are possessed not by one or a few person, but usually by a large proportion. Thus, many millions of persons share such behaviour patterns as Christianity, the use of automobiles, or the English language. Persons may share some part of a culture unequally. For example, as Americans do the Christian religion. To some persons Christianity is the all important, predominating idea in life. To others it is less preoccupying/important, and to still others it is of marginal significance only.,
Civilization and culture are two closely related concepts that have been the subject of much debate and discussion throughout history. While there is no single definition of either term that is universally accepted, there are some common understandings of what they mean.
Civilization is often defined as a complex society with a high level of social organization, technology, and culture. It is typically characterized by the presence of cities, writing, and a System of Government. Civilizations can be found all over the world, and they have developed in different ways over time.
Culture, on the other hand, is a more difficult concept to define. It can be thought of as the shared beliefs, values, and practices of a group of people. Culture is passed down from generation to generation, and it can vary greatly from one group to another.
Both civilization and culture are important aspects of human society. Civilization provides the structure and organization that allow us to live together in complex societies. Culture, on the other hand, gives us a sense of identity and belonging. It provides us with the values and beliefs that guide our lives.
Civilization and culture are constantly evolving. New technologies, ideas, and ways of life are constantly emerging, and they can have a profound impact on both civilization and culture. For example, the development of the Internet has had a major impact on the way we communicate, learn, and do business. It has also led to the emergence of new cultures, such as the internet subculture.
The relationship between civilization and culture is complex and ever-changing. However, both concepts are essential to human society, and they play a vital role in our lives.
Civilization
Civilization is a complex society with a high level of social organization, technology, and culture. It is typically characterized by the presence of cities, writing, and a system of government. Civilizations can be found all over the world, and they have developed in different ways over time.
The earliest civilizations emerged in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China. These civilizations were based on agriculture, and they developed complex systems of government, religion, and art. Later civilizations, such as the Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire, were based on trade and conquest. These civilizations were more widespread than the early civilizations, and they had a greater impact on the development of the world.
The modern world is characterized by a number of different civilizations. These civilizations are based on different cultures, religions, and political systems. They are also at different stages of development. Some civilizations, such as the United States and Japan, are highly developed, while others, such as many African countries, are less developed.
Culture
Culture is the shared beliefs, values, and practices of a group of people. It is passed down from generation to generation, and it can vary greatly from one group to another. Culture can be expressed in many different ways, including through language, art, music, food, and religion.
Culture plays an important role in shaping our lives. It influences the way we think, the way we behave, and the way we view the world. Culture also provides us with a sense of identity and belonging. It helps us to understand who we are and where we come from.
Culture is constantly evolving. New ideas, values, and practices are constantly emerging, and they can have a profound impact on culture. For example, the development of the internet has had a major impact on the way we communicate, learn, and do business. It has also led to the emergence of new cultures, such as the internet subculture.
The relationship between culture and civilization is complex and ever-changing. However, both concepts are essential to human society, and they play a vital role in our lives.
What is civilization?
Civilization is a complex society that is characterized by advanced social organization, division of labor, and a high level of technology.
What are the characteristics of civilization?
The characteristics of civilization include:
- Advanced social organization: Civilizations are characterized by complex social structures, with a variety of different social roles and statuses.
- Division of labor: Civilizations are also characterized by a division of labor, with different people specializing in different tasks.
- High level of technology: Civilizations are also characterized by a high level of technology, including the development of agriculture, writing, and other advanced technologies.
What are the different types of civilization?
There are many different types of civilization, but some of the most common include:
- Agrarian civilizations: Agrarian civilizations are based on agriculture, with most people living in rural areas and working on farms.
- Urban civilizations: Urban civilizations are based on cities, with most people living in urban areas and working in non-agricultural occupations.
- Industrial civilizations: Industrial civilizations are based on Industry, with most people working in factories or other industrial settings.
What are the benefits of civilization?
The benefits of civilization include:
- Increased productivity: Civilization allows for increased productivity, as people can specialize in different tasks and work together to produce goods and Services.
- Improved technology: Civilization also leads to improved technology, as people are able to share ideas and knowledge.
- Increased social organization: Civilization also leads to increased social organization, as people are able to cooperate and coordinate their activities.
What are the drawbacks of civilization?
The drawbacks of civilization include:
- Environmental damage: Civilization can lead to environmental damage, as people use resources and produce waste.
- Social inequality: Civilization can also lead to social inequality, as some people have more power and wealth than others.
- War: Civilization can also lead to war, as people compete for resources and power.
What is culture?
Culture is the shared beliefs, values, and practices of a group of people. It is learned and passed down from generation to generation, and it helps to shape the way people think, feel, and behave.
What are the different types of culture?
There are many different types of culture, but some of the most common include:
- Material culture: Material culture refers to the physical objects that are created by a culture, such as art, architecture, and technology.
- Non-material culture: Non-material culture refers to the intangible aspects of a culture, such as beliefs, values, and customs.
- Popular culture: Popular culture refers to the culture that is shared by a large group of people, such as music, movies, and television shows.
- Folk culture: Folk culture refers to the culture that is shared by a small group of people, such as a particular ethnic group or religious group.
What are the benefits of culture?
The benefits of culture include:
- It provides a sense of identity: Culture provides people with a sense of identity, as it helps them to understand who they are and where they come from.
- It helps people to connect with others: Culture helps people to connect with others who share their beliefs, values, and practices.
- It provides a sense of belonging: Culture provides people with a sense of belonging, as it helps them to feel like they are part of a group.
- It helps people to cope with Stress: Culture can help people to cope with stress, as it provides them with a way to understand and deal with the challenges of life.
What are the drawbacks of culture?
The drawbacks of culture include:
- It can be used to justify discrimination: Culture can be used to justify discrimination, as people may use their culture to justify treating others differently.
- It can be used to promote violence: Culture can be used to promote violence, as people may use their culture to justify harming others.
- It can be used to suppress individual freedom: Culture can be used to suppress individual freedom, as people may use their culture to control the behavior of others.
What is the relationship between civilization and culture?
Civilization and culture are closely related, as civilization is based on culture and culture is shaped by civilization. Civilization provides the context in which culture develops, and culture provides the values and beliefs that shape civilization.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a characteristic of civilization?
(A) A complex social structure
(B) A system of government
(C) A written language
(D) A belief in a higher power
Answer
(D) A belief in a higher power is not a characteristic of civilization. Civilization is a complex society with a high level of cultural and technological development. It is characterized by a system of government, a written language, and a complex social structure.
Question 2
Which of the following is not a characteristic of culture?
(A) A shared set of beliefs and values
(B) A shared way of life
(C) A shared language
(D) A shared history
Answer
(D) A shared history is not a characteristic of culture. Culture is a shared set of beliefs, values, and behaviors that are learned and passed down from generation to generation. It includes a shared language, a shared way of life, and a shared set of symbols and meanings.
Question 3
Which of the following is not an example of a cultural artifact?
(A) A piece of art
(B) A piece of music
(C) A piece of literature
(D) A piece of technology
Answer
(D) A piece of technology is not an example of a cultural artifact. Cultural artifacts are objects that are created by humans and that reflect the culture of the people who created them. They can be objects of art, music, literature, or technology.
Question 4
Which of the following is not an example of a cultural universal?
(A) Marriage
(B) Religion
(C) Language
(D) Technology
Answer
(D) Technology is not an example of a cultural universal. Cultural universals are traits that are found in all cultures. They include marriage, religion, language, and art.
Question 5
Which of the following is not an example of a cultural value?
(A) Family
(B) Education
(C) Hard work
(D) Technology
Answer
(D) Technology is not an example of a cultural value. Cultural values are the beliefs and attitudes that are important to a particular culture. They can be about family, education, hard work, or anything else that is important to the people in that culture.