「世界の多様な文化と文化遺産試論」

Abstract

By definition, culture is firstly intrinsic and subconscious principles inducing our mental and physical cognizance and behavior. Secondly, culture is products created and generated from our creative actions, and it includes its present and past processes. For instance, customs and traditions fall under the first definition of culture, while languages, religions, philosophy, literature, plastic and performing art are examples of the second culture. T hirdly, culture can be defined as a totality of complex social phenomena observed as dynamic manifestations of metamorphosis of civilization accompanied by radical changes in human behavior and conception through globalization processes. T he new culture can be discontinued from our remote and near past unlike the previous cultures. Cultural heritage is the products from our past cultures and its present processes as well as values and meaning of cultures. People(s), who created or creating cultural heritage are also cultural heritage. Since peoples’ life is diverse, world cultures and cultural heritage are naturally diverse in its forms and manifestation. The present paper examines the conditions that facilitate better understanding, recognition and promotion of these diverse cultures and heritage.