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