Human Culture

Spanning Task

11 March 2010

Title: Human Culture

Anthropology is the widespread scientific study of human culture and biology.

Anthropologists study what it means to be human and also the different societies from

the present and past. Anthropology uses several disciplines including, physical and

cultural disciplines. It studies all facets of culture and humanities which includes: language, values, tools, customs, methods, social organizations and economic means. Physical anthropology studies the biological aspects of humans, genetics and the science of evolution, while cultural anthropology studies recent and historical cultures all over the world. Cultural anthropology focuses on social organization, culture change, economic and political systems, and also religion.

According to Paul Kurtz, “religion is one of the most pervasive and enduring characteristics of human culture.” In this article, Kurtz asks the question, “Why do people believe or disbelieve?” He gives reasons for peoples beliefs, such that, “believers have not been exposed to the factual critiques of their faith.” He also says that noncognitive tendencies and desires are at work, enticing believers to accept things that are not likely to believe. This tendency to believe in spite of lacking evidence has deep roots in our biological and social nature. Perception is the most influential method of significance of the world we live in. From it philosophy and science have emerged, contributing to our understanding of nature and ourselves. A significant factor in the growth of religion or atheism is certainly a function of the socio-cultural influences that exist. This was a very interesting article about the religion and its cultural characteristics.

John Stevenson wrote a series of articles in which were based on his own research covering current knowledge of the human neural system and its evolution. The series is based on Stevenson’s own viewpoint and is not written by...