Nature and Culture: Philosophical Perspectives on Human Existence

Nature and Culture: A Philosophical Inquiry

Understanding Nature

Nature, derived from the Latin natura, refers to what is genetically preprogrammed or acquired during embryonic and fetal development. Genetic information, for instance, is transmitted slowly. Human beings are a product of the same evolutionary process as other individuals. Giner defines nature as an "animal imitator," stating that "the human being is born" with this inherent nature.

Philosophical Stances on Nature

• Absolutism: Defends the inherent nature of individuals, asserting an ontological truth that nature is equal for all, and an epistemological truth that knowledge is the same for all.
• Ethnocentrism: Views one's own culture as superior to others.
• Universalism: Defends the existence of universal values and human rights. It criticizes the misleading defense of relativism, which posits that truth is relative to its context. This could potentially justify all kinds of events using familial or cultural relativity.

Problems Arising from These Stances

• How can one judge or assess whether one culture is "better" than another?
• How is the satisfaction of human rights measured across different contexts?

Understanding Culture

Culture, derived from the Latin colere (to cultivate), encompasses the material and ideological elements of acquired knowledge and abilities. It represents information received from others. Unlike genetic information, which is transmitted slowly, culture, through its minimum unit of information – the meme – facilitates rapid cultural information transfer. Unlike nature, which is 'born,' culture is 'done' by human beings, learned and acquired through life's associations.

Philosophical Stances on Culture

• Relativism: In the context of existing cultures, relativism posits an ontological view where reality is subjective, and an epistemological view where knowledge and truth are relative.
• Cultural Relativism: Asserts that there are no absolute cultural values, and human rights themselves are products of culture. It criticizes universalism as a fallacious theoretical philosophy that attempts to define what things *are* and then derive 'ought' conclusions in the field of ethics based solely on statements of fact. Human nature, it argues, is not a fixed fact but rather a desire for plurality, opposing dogmatic or singular visions.

Problems of Relativism

If 'anything goes,' it becomes impossible to establish a basis for morality or ethics.

Finding a Middle Ground: Formal Universalism

A middle ground could be found in formal universalism, which seeks universal truths regarding happiness and justice. However, to address such serious issues concretely, it is essential to promote the diversity of cultures and foster dialogue among them. This approach aims to establish genuine agreements rather than mere social pacts or polemics.