In the contemporary society, a lot of philosophers have tried to define culture as something which can exist on its own separate from the people. This makes it to be different from philosophy thus existence of the two as separate spheres in sociology.
However, from a critical perspective, culture is sociology and sociology is in philosophy. This is supported by the many ideas presented by some critical thinkers and philosophers who believe that culture is way of life and not something that can exist on its own on this world (Mary, 2).
One of such philosophers is Bitek from Uganda who argues that culture is misunderstood for a visible trait or behavior. In his writing, he makes several statements that are used to describe or define culture though it is false or a fallacy to claim of culture as something which can be stored in books or preserved somewhere.
Citing a perfect example for this discussion, I will analyze South Africa and its history so as to make clear the idea of what culture is. In the pre-colonial South Africa, the main people living in the country were Bantus like the Zulus and some hunter gatherers like Khoi and the San. This made the culture of the South African indigenous inhabitants to be restrained to their language groups. The Bantus were mostly vegetarians who relied heavily on farming. The San were hunters while the Khoi were gatherers. This mixture of cultures is what can be claimed to be the culture of South Africa in the pre-colonial era (James, 293).
As visitors started pouring into the country, the lifestyle of the people started to change gradually. The Bantus were introduced to trade and with time the other people started to follow suit. This made the culture of the people to be modified due to the change in lifestyle. This can be said to be shift in lifestyle or culture which can only be explained but cannot be preserved in any form of writing or even artifacts. This makes the definition of culture as something untouchable or invisible but can only be explained from an abstractive aspect much valid. It also corrects the misunderstanding of culture as visible and behavioral (James, 294).
Another aspect from the country that characterized their culture was the education system. Closely monitoring the education system of the local people, there appears that the people had their education systems which allowed the people to learn things pertaining to their culture and way of life. With the introduction of modern education, lifestyles changed and people started leading different lives from the past. This led to development of a new culture and not behaviors (James, 318).
Analyzing the current lifestyle of the people from South Africa, the culture of South Africa appears to be a mixture of cultures that has been brought by the metropolitan nature of the whole South African community. This makes the culture to be much rooted in the lifestyle of the people and not in any behavioral appearance.
Looking at the connection between the visible appearance in terms of behavior and other observable features, there exist a close connection between culture, behavior and philosophy. Behavior is much environmental and societal aspect of the culture thus it is a component of culture and not culture by itself. Looking at culture, it encompasses more than just the visible outward look or behavior. It covers behavior and other factors affecting the way of life. It also includes religion and politics including leadership and education systems. Philosophy on the other hand is a field that encompasses possibly all cultures in its sociology branch. This serves the purpose of explaining that philosophy is more than culture and since philosophy covers culture, it is also correct to say that philosophy is culture (Mary, 4).
Critically looking at these two areas and the connection between the two, it is clear that both are social aspects of the human life that covers more than any visible aspect. Both also traces a history and develops with time and closely related to one another. Their existence in the society without any clear separation or definition makes the two appear synonymous (Mary, 6).
Reviewing another movie on culture and philosophy, the three main actors appear to try and cope with different lifestyles. In the beginning, they have to leave their war torn country and develop the culture of being always on the run. This is exhibited when the three feel insecure while in Ethiopia and flees into Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp. When the three are chosen to go to the United States, they are glad to be invited there and spend some time thinking of if to take the offer or reject it. This comes as a result of their culture that anybody around you is your relative regardless of any kinship (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/11878743).
While in the United Sates, they strive as the other people in the locality and they lead the same lifestyle. This makes the trio take some time and review their lives where the John, one the three, claims that all is happening to the world since God is tired of our wicked ways. This pricks my conscience into examining our past and the current society. It makes some sense to claim God is fed up with our change of character and formalization of almost everything. Culture and religion are some of the things that should face minimal formalization yet we are trying to make everything appear formal and uniform. This has led to death of some religion and cropping up of others. This has made the people provoke God’s anger (http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/11878743).
Quoting a life illustration form the contemporary world in support of culture being something which cannot be viewed by any external means, observe Africa in general closely. Some countries like Kenya have had their cultures eroded by what they call western culture. By observation, these countries have changed their lifestyles to those led in the western world ranging from religion to clothing. This is in contrast to the idea that culture is visible. In fact, they have copied a way of life which is culture and not the behaviors.
Looking at countries like Nigeria, the people have preserved their culture to a point that their cultures have gained international recognition. They have made even the western world admire their way of life to a point of adopting part of their cultures. This supports the notion that culture is in the society and cannot be visibly detected.
In conclusion, culture is what shapes a person but behaviors are personal. Culture is communal or societal and not individual as predicted by claiming that culture is visible. Also, culture is in the people and not on the people. The culture is changing with time but most behaviors still persist in spite of the continuous evolution of culture.
Works cited
James D, Revolution and revolutionary movements, University of Connecticut, 2004 Print.
Mary, W. Ecology, Culture and Philosophy, Oxford University Press, 2003 print.
