Difference Between Culture and Civilization

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Have you ever wondered why the one who is poor and in a shabby attire is regarded as uncivilized, even though he may be the most cultured person and the one in a sophisticated outfit, is called civilized, but, may not be having the sense of culture? Culture is everything about the human society, i.e. it refers to the knowledge and features of a specific group of people living in a region.

On the other extreme, civilization is the breakthrough of the human society meaning that it is the advanced level of social and human development.

People often conflate the terms culture and civilization and end up using them synonymously. Go through with the article presented before you, to have a deeper understanding of the difference between culture and civilization.

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Culture	Civilization
Meaning	Culture is a term used to denote the manifestation of the manner in which we think, behave and act.	Civilization refers to the process through which a region or society, outstretches an advanced stage of human development and organization.
What is it?	End	Means
Represents	What we are?	What we possess?
Reflected in	Religion, art, dance, literature, customs, morals, music, philosophy, etc.	Law, administration, infrastructure, architecture, social arrangement, etc.
Expression	Higher level of inner refinement.	Higher level of general development.
Advancement	No	Yes
Interdependency	Culture can grow and exist without civilization.	Civilization cannot grow and exist without culture.

Definition of Culture

The term ‘culture’ is a Latin origin of the world ‘cultus’, which refers to cultivating or refining something, in such a way that it provides admiration and respect. In finer terms, culture is the way people live, reflected in the language they spoke, food they eat, clothes they wear and the Diety they follow or worship. It expresses the manner in which one thinks and do things.

In other words, culture is the set of knowledge, experiences and behaviours which is commonly shared by a group of people. It is something that a person gains through learning.

Culture includes art, knowledge, belief, customs, traditions, morals, festivals, values, attitudes, habits and so on which are inherited by a person as a member of society. It is everything; an individual achieves as a member of a social group. It can be seen in the literature, music, dance forms, religious practices, dressing style, food habits, ways of greeting others, recreation and enjoyment. Different cultures can be found in different places, as it varies from region to region.

Definition of Civilization

Civilization is described as a process of civilizing or say developing the state of human society, to the extent that the culture, industry, technology, government, etc. reaches the maximum level. The term ‘civilization’ is derived from a Latin term ‘civis’ which indicates ‘someone who resides in a town’.

The term ‘civilization’ is not confined to town; rather it talks about adopting better ways of living, and making best possible use of nature’s resources, so as to satisfy the needs of the group of people. Further, it stresses on systematising society into various groups that work collectively and constantly to improve the quality of life, regarding food, education, dress, communication, transportation, and the like.

Key Differences Between Culture and Civilization

The following points are noteworthy, so far as the difference between culture and civilization is concerned:

The term ‘culture’ refers to the embodiment of the manner in which we think, behave and act. On the contrary, the improved stage of human society, where members have the considerable amount of social and political organisation and development, is called Civilization.
Our culture describes what we are, but our civilization explains what we have or what we make use of.
Culture is an end; it has no measurement standards. As against this, civilization has precise measurement standards, because it is a means.
The culture of a particular region can be reflected in religion, art, dance, literature, customs, morals, music, philosophy, etc. On the other hand, the civilization is exhibited in the law, administration, infrastructure, architecture, social arrangement, etc. of that area.
Culture denote the greatest level of inner refinement, and so it is internal. Unlike, civilization which is external, i.e. it is the expression of state of the art technology, product, devices, infrastructure and so forth.
Change in culture is observed with time, as in the old thoughts and traditions lost with the passage of time and new ones are added to it which are then transmitted from one generation to another. On the flip side, civilization is continuously advancing, i.e. the various elements of civilization like means of transportation, communication, etc. are developing day by day.
Culture can evolve and flourish, even if the civilization does not exist. In contrast, civilization cannot grow and exist without culture.

Conclusion

Therefore, one should not confuse culture for civilization. However, both are created by human beings and expresses, the way we led our lives. These two gives us the ideas, ideals, values and ways to live a decent and lavish life.