Introduction to Sociology/Culture/Jeong Hyeonsu

1.     Summary

This web page introduce culture from sociological viewpoint. It starts from genetic and nurture’s difference. Biological characteristics do not define who am I. defining me are cultural factors. the page explains “high culture” that the primitive concept of culture and history of changing concept of culture. After the content, introducing two sociological theories (ethnocentrism and cultural relativism) they look culture in contrasting perspective. Ethnocentrism look other cultures based on their own culture and don’t respect other cultures. Cultural relativism assumes another culture is incomprehensible by others. So, it respects another culture itself.

2.     Interesting thing

I was interested in two points. One is the other is culture impacts to human evolution and culture and social are an inseparable relation, so to know social, we must study culture too.
I take it for granted that evolution affects human culture, and vice versa. However, in this web page, the example of change in the culture of drinking milk from other mammals resulted in changes in human genes change my stereotype. It was shocking to me that the genetic element what I thought never change was changed by human culture.
I remind it is undeniable fact that culture and social are inseparable relation. When people gather, not only they become society, but also they have some culture. It is a natural fact, but I often forget that.

3.     Discussion point


My discussion point is “Is culture first or genetic trait first?”. In korea, advertise copy like “a food congenial to the Korean constitution!” are frequently used. But, when I read the web page, I become curious the constitution is entirely genetic. Along with the instance of the page, maybe the constitution was formed by the culture?

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