CULTURE OF LIFE

Abstract

Culture is the sum total of attitudes and perspectives, behaviour patterns and adopted standards, views and ways of life that envelop the entire gamut of reality through the interpretation and involvement of human beings for the sake of an enhanced state of existence at all levels. In order to have a culture, it is essential that life – in all its forms – is accorded respect and reverence. Among various forms of life, because of its uniqueness in terms of self-consciousness and the ability to establish lasting, meaningful, and purposeful relationships, human life has a prime place. In fact, any culture presupposes human existence: only human beings can set off a culture; for devoid of humanity’s central role along with its specific emphasis on the enhancement of human life, no culture would be worth the name. Although we can identify a symbiotic relationship between human life and culture, the central role of life, especially human life, cannot be overlooked. The aim of humanity as a whole must be to evolve a culture of life, a situation where all would subscribe to a positive view of life and shape a creative way of life, culminating in the enhancement of both life and culture.