Abstract

Since the time of the German Romantics, “culture” has been a prime rallying cry of vocal groups hostile to modern society. Most broadly, the term is used to indicate a humanist, perhaps classical, style of life, wherein social relations are said to foster heroic virtues, where excellence is the target of aspirations, and reason, mind, soul, or spirit dominate other human attributes. More narrowly, proponents of “culture” mean those artistic and intellectual activities widely conceded the epithet “high” and considered to be peculiarly valuable insights into or expressions of the human spirit. In either case, the critics set “culture” over against “mass society” or “civilization” and charge that “industrialization” or “democratization” or “bourgeoisification” generates the less desirable condition at the expense of the more desirable.