现代西方语境中的文化与文明

在西方,"文化"一词定义众多,理解各异,而且随时间变化而变化,受特定国家的特殊情况所影响。文化在使用上主要有两类理解:其一,人类所能想到和知道的事物中最好的那一部分;其二,人为之物的全部,包括物质的和非物质的。前者又称为"人文派"定义,后者为"社科派"定义。西方学术界对文化的整体理解可大体分为历时性文化观、共时性文化观、种族文化观和整体文化观。西方学界历来对文明有一种批判精神,在肯定其对社会贡献和作用的同时,抨击其对自然和人类的罪恶。文明同样有多种理解,从根本上说,文明是指文化中进取的、有成效的那一部分。但文明经常被异化,即用在了征服、杀戮同类、甚至毁灭自然等方面。

Culture and Civilization in the Context of the Modern Western World

In the West,the word culture is ambiguous,and its meaning often changes in different historic periods,and with the influence of some specific factors.Generally,there are two mainstream understandings about culture: "the best that has been thought and known",and "the totality of man's products".Four views of culture are influential in modern Western academic world: diachronic view,syn ethnocentralist view and holistic view.The word civilization is also rich in meaning,however,essentially refers to those active and effective parts of culture.Unfortunately,civilization has suffered a serious alienation,i.e.its achievements are often used for conquering,slaughtering,even destroying the nature.