Ideological Anaylsis On Culture Essay, Research Paper
Through their writing, Karl Marx and Matthew Arnold show their
opposing views on the importance of internal and external functions of
culture. In the first chapter of Culture and Anarchy, “Sweetness and
Light”, Arnold describes culture as being responsible for the progress
of politics and society, and as “the best knowledge and thought of the
time” (19). Matthew Arnold’s culture is based on two main aspects,
religion and education. Karl Marx, however, strongly contrasts
Arnold’s ideas. Marx views culture as being derived from the
advancement of the sciences. While both men?s views differ greatly,
one must wonder if there is not a happy medium between the two. Instead
of one or the other, does our culture today in fact implicate aspects
of both views?
Matthew Arnold’s definition of culture is based on his views of
expanding the mind and body. There is not much need for materialism in
his definition. He believed many other cultures are based on the
thought of curiosity and on scientific expansion. Arnold believed
culture was based on the expansion of the individual’s mind; only
through education can a perfect culture be reached. In his writings,
Arnold stated that for a man to be cultured he has to be versed in both
religion and classic literature. Although Arnold’s culture sought the
advancement of the human mind, he did not want people to get wrapped up
in technology. Arnold believes his culture is “more interesting and
more far-reaching than that other, which is founded solely on the
scientific passion for knowing” (21). Arnold believed that culture
dealt with perfection; as he stated in “Sweetness and Light”, “Culture
is then properly described not as having its origin in curiosity, but
as having its origin in the love of perfection; it is a study of
perfection” (21). Arnold also makes a point that culture is the
endeavor to make the moral and social characteristics of individuals
prevail. He relies on religion and the mind too much in my humble
opinion. The thought that a ?culture? that is based on Arnold?s views
could simply not be comprehended. Our society is too deep in the hole
of machinery and technology now to even begin to become the culture
that Matthew Arnold proposes. I would call his views the ?Ideal World
Culture?, because only in an ideal world could these characteristics be
implicated. Our society today uses aspects of Mr. Arnold?s essay, such
as the religious aspect and the ?aristocracy?, but not enough to make
the door swing one way. He tries to look beyond machinery, which simply
cannot be done.
Matthew Arnold felt that religion was an important aspect of
culture. Arnold felt that when the reason of God prevailed all society
would be cultured. As Arnold states, “Now, then, is the moment for
culture to be of service, culture which believes in making reason and
the will of God prevail, believes in perfection, is the study of
perfection”(21). Marx states that the ruling class of culture would be
the intellectual and material force, he makes no mention of the
religious aspects. In Karl Marx’s culture, on the other hand, there
would not be enough time to devote to the enrichment of the
individual’s religious mind. This is caused by his strong devotion to
technological advancement. So beings the extreme contrast between the
two authors, I chose them because they differ very much in their views
of what culture is and should be. Arnold leans towards the mind and
religion, whereas Marx is strictly materialism and technology. They do
share certain aspects though, such as Matthew Arnold stating that
materialism and technology were unavoidable.
The view Marx has toward religion and culture as a whole vividly
portrays his feelings toward the internal aspect of culture. He
thought the culture of a nation derived from the economic situation of
the nation. His writings show he is more inclined toward the external
aspect of culture. This external view of culture includes the thoughts
of production, industry, and scientific breakthroughs. Another aspect
of Marx’s focus on external culture is his lack of focus on the
development of religion and education. The focus on Marx’s culture was
the advancement of technology and power. In Marx?s mind there was too
little time for things as trivial as religion and expanding the mind.
Basically materialism spoke for who you were.
The writings of Marx and Arnold strongly oppose each other. The
vast differences between their opinions on culture are well noted in
their writings. Marx’s view of religion and education being non-
important in his perfect culture contradicts the view of Matthew
Arnold. Arnold believed that culture was a study of perfection in the
mind of the individual. These contradicting views are an example of
culture’s various definitions in the world. Marx?s or Arnold?s ideas on
their own are both unfeasible as they are. We are not robots, and
cannot conform to something so rigid either way. Individualism has made
our society what it is today in terms of advancement and technology.
If we could take the best aspects of both, such as Arnold?s idea of
developing the mind and Marx?s materialism, after it has been toned
down, one would have an idea of culture that most accurately reflects
today?s society. That seems to be the be the road most traveled