The word culture, from the Latin colo, -ere, with its root meaning "to cultivate", generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activity significance. Different definitions of "culture" reflect different theoretical bases for understanding, or criteria for evaluating, human activity. Anthropologists most commonly use the term "culture" to refer to the universal human capacity to classify, codify and communicate their experiences symbolically. This capacity is long been taken as a defining feature of the genus Homo. However, primatologists such as Jane Goodall have identified aspects of culture among our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.Goodall, J. 1986. The Chimpanzees of Gombe: Patterns of Behavior.

Defining "culture"

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NYT > Arts

Second City Looks Back in Laughter
By LARRY ROHTER Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:59:10 -0000
Second City, the improvisational troupe that changed the tone of comedy, commemorated its 50th anniversary with shows, parties and panel discussions.
Books of The Times: Chinua Achebe’s Encounters With Many Hearts of Darkness
By DWIGHT GARNER Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:02:11 -0000
A new collection of essays from the author of “Things Fall Apart,” about Nigerian politics, language, family and racism.
Movie Review | 'Crazy Heart': A Country Crooner Whose Flight Is Now Free Fall
By A. O. SCOTT Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:05:40 -0000
“Crazy Heart,” written and directed by Scott Cooper, is a small movie perfectly scaled to the big performance at its center.
Music and Charity Meet in Intimate, Lofty Setting
By JAMES BARRON Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:01:09 -0000
Judy and Steven Gluckstern have been hosting fund-raiser concerts in their loft for a decade. That era is ending, as they prepare to move to San Francisco.
‘Up in the Air’ Nominated for 6 Golden Globes
By BROOKS BARNES Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:03:28 -0000
“Nine,” “Avatar” and “Inglorious Basterds” round out nomination leaders, while Meryl Streep gets to compete against herself.
Never Listen to Céline? Radio Meter Begs to Differ
By STEPHANIE CLIFFORD Wed, 16 Dec 2009 07:13:03 -0000
By measuring what people listen to rather than what they report, a radio rating system is finding new winners.

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