For Arnold, Culture is:

A. The ability to know what is best;
B. The ability to know what is worst;
C. The mental and spiritual application of what is best;
D. The pursuit of what is best;
E. The pursuit of what is worst.

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (4) A, C and D Only.

This question refers to the views of Matthew Arnold, a key figure in Victorian literature and cultural criticism. Arnold’s concept of culture is deeply rooted in his belief that culture is essential for the mental, spiritual, and moral growth of individuals and society. Arnold defines culture in terms of the ability to discern and pursue what is best, both in terms of intellect and morality.

"The ability to know what is best" – Arnold’s view of culture involves the recognition of what is best in both art and society. He believed that people should be able to distinguish the best ideas, morals, and practices, a core principle of culture.

"The mental and spiritual application of what is best" – According to Arnold, culture is not just the knowledge of what is best, but also the mental and spiritual application of these best ideals. It’s not just about knowing what is right but about applying it in one’s life, both intellectually and spiritually.

"The pursuit of what is best" – Arnold emphasizes that culture is a continuous pursuit of the best in terms of human achievement, intellect, and morality. Culture should be viewed as an ongoing process, where individuals and societies strive toward improvement and higher ideals.

Information Booster:

Matthew Arnold (1822–1888):

Culture and Anarchy (1869)

Key Concepts: Culture as the mental and spiritual pursuit of what is best in human life, the ability to transcend social and political constraints to achieve intellectual refinement, and the application of moral and aesthetic ideals.

Arnold’s view of culture was more than just a pursuit of artistic knowledge—it was about forming the best qualities of humanity, both intellectually and morally. He saw culture as a means of social critique against the narrow and repressive forces of industrial society, which he thought were contributing to a decline in moral and spiritual health.

Culture and Anarchy: In this influential text, Arnold contrasts culture with anarchy—representing the chaos and disorder of a society that lacks intellectual and moral direction. He advocated for an ideal society in which culture (knowledge of the best that humanity has to offer) would guide the public good, moving society beyond political strife and towards higher moral goals.