Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A):
Culture is one of the two or three most complicated words in the English language.

Reason (R):
This is mainly because several different though related meanings have emerged at particular moments throughout its long history.

In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is A

Explanation:

Assertion (A): The statement that culture is one of the most complicated words in the English language is correct. The term culture carries multiple meanings and is used in various disciplines like anthropology, sociology, literature, art, philosophy, and politics. It refers to a wide range of human activities, from the shared beliefs and values of a community to artistic and intellectual achievements. Over the years, culture has evolved in its usage, and its meanings are often context-dependent.

Reason (R): The reason given that the complexity of the term culture comes from the fact that several different but related meanings have emerged over time is true. Culture has evolved in its meaning over time, with its use influenced by historical contexts, cultural changes, and theories developed in various academic fields. For example, culture can refer to biological cultivation, societal customs, arts and entertainment, and a way of life. This historical evolution of the term explains why it is complicated and has multiple definitions.

Since Reason (R) accurately explains the complexity of culture as stated in Assertion (A), (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Information Booster:

The term culture in English refers to shared practices, values, beliefs, and arts. In its traditional sense, it could refer to the arts and intellectual achievements of a society, but in modern sociological contexts, it also refers to the lifestyles, traditions, and social practices that define a group of people.

Anthropological culture: In anthropology, culture refers to the shared practices and customs that bind a group together, including language, religion, rituals, and customs that are passed down through generations.

Historical evolution: Over time, culture has also come to refer to popular culture (such as music, entertainment, and fashion) and subcultures (such as youth culture or online cultures). This increasing diversity in its usage is a key reason why culture is complicated and multifaceted.

Famous theories of culture:

Thinkers such as Edward B. Tylor, Max Weber, and Raymond Williams have contributed to the diverse understandings of culture.

Tylor defined culture as the complex whole of knowledge, belief, art, law, etc., while Williams emphasized the relationship between culture and society in his sociological approach.

Evolving meanings: The meanings of culture have expanded due to globalization, which has facilitated cross-cultural exchanges. Additionally, postmodern theories have introduced more fluid and non-fixed meanings of culture, such as hybridization, multiculturalism, and cultural studies.