Culture and Tradition

Isn’t culture something to be proud about and pass on to the next generation? There seems to be some confusion as I often noticed culture and tradition being used interchangeably. In general, culture is associated with positive and progressive social behavior based on reasoning and knowledge. While tradition is similar, it could be negative, at times backward, and may be based upon repetitive behavior that does not have any sound reasoning or knowledge.

Now from the dictionary …

Culture

5 a: the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations b: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group ; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life} shared by people in a place or time<popular culture> <southern culture> c: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization <a corporate culture focused on the bottom line> d: the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic <studying the effect of computers on print culture> <changing the culture of materialism will take time – Peggy O’Mara>

Tradition

1 a: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom) b:a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction3: cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions4: characteristic manner, method, or style <in the best liberal tradition>

Tagged as: culture, tradition