Culture

In my Great Works: Art class, the professor lectured on Greek culture and society in relation to the works of art created during the Archaic and Hellenistic periods. In ancient Greece, culture and philosophy defined the lives of the people. One of the overarching philosophies that developed in Greece was that of humanism, which embodied the celebration of the individual This philosophy influenced artwork throughout the Archaic and Hellenistic periods, particularly statues of the human figure. Learning about the influence that Greek culture and philosophy had on ancient Greek art really made me think about how much larger of an impact this same culture had on Western civilization. This society left its mark on more than just art. Our own government is patterned after the Greek's political system, that of a democracy. Furthermore, the philosophy that the universe is governed by different kinds of laws shaped Western civilization's study of science; indeed, it remains one of the leading theories behind science today.

Comparing what I learned during the lecture to what I see in our country today made me realize that sometimes it's easy to overlook how much of an influence another culture can have on our lives. Of course we all acknowledge that certain components of our own government and society come from the ancient Greeks. But how often do we REALLY think about it? Likewise, how often to we think about the cultures we have each inherited? I am half Chinese, a quarter Japanese, and a quarter Caucasian. Growing up in Hawaii, I never really realized how ethnically diverse I am. I come from three very different cultures and heritages, which I have only recently come to appreciate. These cultures really do define me--they have influenced the values, traditions, and lifestyle I hold dear. As a citizen of the United States, I've been exposed to popular media and culture, which have influenced me to adopt some American ideas and values. However, this "Americanization" hasn't altered my own sense of identity or culture. I am aware of who I am and where I came from. My cultures have impacted me just as much as ancient Greek culture influenced Western civilization. I think that this is an important realization to make in terms of globalization and cultural integration. By sharing my culture with others, I can best preserve it.