Introduction
Civilization also referred to as culture. According to the dictionary, the definition of culture is the custom and beliefs, art, way and social organization of a particular country or group. Culture actually is based on the traditions, lifestyle language and the day to day way of life. Culture of a particular place is usually determined by the traditions of the people and whether they interact with the person from the other communities. Western culture or western civilization is used to refer to cultures of European origin and all other cultures that are descendants.
History of western civilization
Western culture is always changing, as all other cultures it has gradually changed with time, this differs from place to place and time to time. It is possible to follow the history of evolution of each group of the west, how they differ from each other, their similarities, how they contribute to other cultures and how they borrow from other cultures. Example, Greeks and Americans fall under one culture, but they act differently in regard to religions, games, education and even innovation. (Duran, 1995)
Though sometime there is some contrast between the west and eastern culture, it is criticized by the difficulty to determine which culture one falls, in some ways, it’s not determinant of various activities, it has been transformed to more important use. Though it has descended from academic factors, it has become a crucial factor in identifying important culture differences and similarities both to individual and communities
Influence of western civilization
The western culture has great influence to other cultures world wide. People of all cultures both western and eastern cultures try to modernize their way of living both economically and technologically. To some extent this has gone to much to a point they threaten the welfare of human life, and this is rejected for being incompatible with the vision and the values of societies. Technology and social patterns which make up modernization were developed by the western culture. Nonetheless, much of anthropology today has shown the close links between the physical environment and daily activities and the formation of a culture (the findings of cultural ecology. (Stearns, 2003)
Conclusion
Western civilization has contributed to shaping of modern world. The origin of the western culture has been diversified by the wide range groups with different visions and goals. This has also contributed to urge of modernizing the world regardless of the culture. This also raises the difference in societies due to different beliefs and difference in goals.
Reference:
- Duran, E. (1995) Native American Postcolonial Psychology Albany: State University of New York Press
- Stearns, P. (2003). Western Civilization in World History. New York: Routledge.