It has been demonstrated once again on this thread that no-one can define it - that is because it has no objective existence outside those who are attempting to define it.
It is indefinable, just as things like beauty and goodness are inherently indefinable.
The only thing that has been demonstrated is your lack of knowledge of what culture actually is.
Kaber tossing is definable, is that an example of British culture?
Then it should do, if you need any help understanding it, make a few local enquiries to people who have been around a long time....or even some of the younger ones.
Are you saying what British culture was then was "right" and what it is now is "wrong"?
Then it should do, if you need any help understanding it, make a few local enquiries to people who have been around a long time....or even some of the younger ones.
An irrelevant diversionary tactic.
Understanding what exactly?
I was born in the early '50s - I know how much society has changed, but what has that got to do with anything?
No, you can't, for each is ultimately the subjective view of an individual, and no one has the right to definitively state what constitutes British culture, as such a thing is impossible.
Giving examples of what you think is included in British culture merely underlines the impossibility of defining it - and with it the inevitable descent into the farce that are those lists.
Not so, I repeat there are many things that are intrinsic parts of British Culture, many of them may also be intrinsic parts of other cultures and yes it is subjective but again if that subjective opinion is held by many then it is inclusive and if it cannot be attributed to another culture then it is inherently British. That then makes it objective.
The poems of Houseman are intrinsically British and therefore are not part of another culture just as the Kama Sutra is part of another culture and not British.
I give examples to illustrate the point not as definitive aspects of British Culture. As I said for many people the examples I have given will not figure in their own cultural values whereas others will.
Just to add one point it is fairly normal for those on here to talk of British Culture and then the likes of you to come along and belittle that point of view, ask what it is, demand definitions and sneer when some say they know what it is and they know what it is not. It is the denial of its existence or the denigration of it overall by concentrating on the negative cultural proclivities such as weekend boozing that irritates and makes it seem more obvious that there is a wish, a plan, a clear attempt to change or subsume it by force. That is not acceptable for any culture.
customs, traditions, architecture, art, music, law, literature, humor, language. I see British culture everyday when i walk outside, turn on the tv or radio and open a book or magazine.
The reason why people sneer Blair is because you on the far Right make a massive deal about the sanctity of British culture and the way it is currently under threat and yet when pressed to state what in reality it is come out with rather lame statements like "it is what it is" and "British culture is British culture".
It is not sanctity and we have just had a rather long exchange where we seem to agree that cultures are indefinable but exist because they are recognisable. No people in the world like to see their culture under threat because it is their culture. I am not sure why British people should be any different and receive less respect for opposing enforced cultural change than any other group throughout history. Some seem to think it is a criminal act when it was carried out by Empire, perhaps they are right but it should be applied equally to all cultures and even more so now because the wrongness of it is appreciated in the modern world.
It has been demonstrated once again on this thread that no-one can define it - that is because it has no objective existence outside those who are attempting to define it.
It is indefinable, just as things like beauty and goodness are inherently indefinable.
No, they are not objective - how can they be? Someone (paul2307) who was arguing like you against me on this thread posted something interesting on this subject from Warwick University. This is some of it. The rest of it makes interesting reading too.
According to a dictionary Culture is the arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. The ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society.
So for British culture they are objective things that could be written down in a vast list.
The word culture in your opinion obviously has a different definition, please give your dictionary definition of the word culture. And please use a different word rather than the word culture if you are going to define the word as having a different meaning to its meaning in the English language. As using a common English word and attaching an alternate meaning to it just causes confusion.
Of course! It is those who attempt to define a nation's culture - generally those of the far Right - who are trying to put the indefinable into a straitjacket for their own nefarious political ends.
Those saying that there is a British culture (who may or may not be on the right) do not attempt to list all the parts. It's like "love" - undefinable but you know when it hits you.
Will you be starting a thread to say "love" doesn't exist?
Those saying that there is a British culture (who may or may not be on the right) do not attempt to list all the parts. It's like "love" - undefinable but you know when it hits you.
Will you be starting a thread to say "love" doesn't exist?
It has been demonstrated once again on this thread that no-one can define it - that is because it has no objective existence outside those who are attempting to define it.
It is indefinable, just as things like beauty and goodness are inherently indefinable.
So you would have no objections if "beauty and goodness" were replaced with ugliness and badness?
Because that's the argument you seem to be putting forward whenever there is a thread about British culture being replaced.
If it can't be defined, it cannot be replaced.
It's a very weak argument TBH.
But I suppose it keeps you off the streets.:D
Why is this thread now about culture ? ., the title is Muslim plot to take over schools . Just been mentioned again on BBC news , in Birmingham . On the first page i said it is more about a plot to take over UK , Europe and the World and I still say that , because the Muslims themselves actually say this , they are not hiding it.
Why is this thread now about culture ? ., the title is Muslim plot to take over schools . Just been mentioned again on BBC news , in Birmingham . On the first page i said it is more about a plot to take over UK , Europe
Comments
The only thing that has been demonstrated is your lack of knowledge of what culture actually is.
Kaber tossing is definable, is that an example of British culture?
Oh for goodness sake! Culture isn't a list of activities/objects/meals etc etc !
Read post 332.
Kaber tossing isn't an item on a list it is a cultural activity a disctinctly British one or Scottish for you seperatists
You really have no idea what culture is.
That's the crux of it. Not flaming Chicken Tikka. That is Indian culture.
Understanding what exactly?
I was born in the early '50s - I know how much society has changed, but what has that got to do with anything?
Well, I don't pretend to be able to define it.
But there again, neither do you seemingly.......
Please indulge me and explain. You have said compared to the past the country today is completely different.
How is that obvious statement germane to the point under discussion?
And what avoidance? It was you who brought up age.
Not so, I repeat there are many things that are intrinsic parts of British Culture, many of them may also be intrinsic parts of other cultures and yes it is subjective but again if that subjective opinion is held by many then it is inclusive and if it cannot be attributed to another culture then it is inherently British. That then makes it objective.
The poems of Houseman are intrinsically British and therefore are not part of another culture just as the Kama Sutra is part of another culture and not British.
I give examples to illustrate the point not as definitive aspects of British Culture. As I said for many people the examples I have given will not figure in their own cultural values whereas others will.
Just to add one point it is fairly normal for those on here to talk of British Culture and then the likes of you to come along and belittle that point of view, ask what it is, demand definitions and sneer when some say they know what it is and they know what it is not. It is the denial of its existence or the denigration of it overall by concentrating on the negative cultural proclivities such as weekend boozing that irritates and makes it seem more obvious that there is a wish, a plan, a clear attempt to change or subsume it by force. That is not acceptable for any culture.
customs, traditions, architecture, art, music, law, literature, humor, language. I see British culture everyday when i walk outside, turn on the tv or radio and open a book or magazine.
I think I'll leave it as it is since this board can be seen by enough people to decide who is right.
It is not sanctity and we have just had a rather long exchange where we seem to agree that cultures are indefinable but exist because they are recognisable. No people in the world like to see their culture under threat because it is their culture. I am not sure why British people should be any different and receive less respect for opposing enforced cultural change than any other group throughout history. Some seem to think it is a criminal act when it was carried out by Empire, perhaps they are right but it should be applied equally to all cultures and even more so now because the wrongness of it is appreciated in the modern world.
Can any country define its culture?
So for British culture they are objective things that could be written down in a vast list.
The word culture in your opinion obviously has a different definition, please give your dictionary definition of the word culture. And please use a different word rather than the word culture if you are going to define the word as having a different meaning to its meaning in the English language. As using a common English word and attaching an alternate meaning to it just causes confusion.
Those saying that there is a British culture (who may or may not be on the right) do not attempt to list all the parts. It's like "love" - undefinable but you know when it hits you.
Will you be starting a thread to say "love" doesn't exist?
Can any country say they have their own culture?
So you would have no objections if "beauty and goodness" were replaced with ugliness and badness?
Because that's the argument you seem to be putting forward whenever there is a thread about British culture being replaced.
If it can't be defined, it cannot be replaced.
It's a very weak argument TBH.
But I suppose it keeps you off the streets.:D
you wicked infidel...Off with the unbelievers head..:
But why do some people say the British don't have a culture.?
Only been happening for the last 1,400 years.