Cultural Theory for the Humanities

This theory of culture, a synthesis of thinking from Europe, the Americas and Asia, illustrates the function and meaning of culture rather than form. It fuses philosophy, anthropology, sociology, history, science, psychology, literature, literary criticism and linguistics all areas that a comprehensive theory must comprise because they constitute culture. The essence of culture is identity, or psychosocial homeostasis. A primary problem for cultural solution is the determination of what has identity. As social concepts, individuals can have identity in some cultures but not in others. Where identity is possible, it is generally derived from shared identities of defined groups and even of the culture itself. Essential identity of individuals, even in cultures that admit it, does not occur within the scope of culture. This theory concerns the possibilities and forms of culturally recognizable identity. The Editor of this book examines this Cultural Theory for the humanities.