Arnold’s Culture & Modernity

The book presents Matthew Arnold’s concept of culture and its relevance to modern times. Arnold criticized Western Society especially British Society of his time for its indulgence in Philistinism as he wanted the ‘uniform world culture’ what we call today ‘global village.’ According to him culture is to find in what ‘the best that is known and thought in the world.’ The term is inclusive, for this makes human life happier. Culture conceives of a harmonious perfection; it is at the service of society and provides its utility for well being of humanity. He understands culture in the context of rising spirit of democracy; he observes stability of society in the value based life. For Arnold, political, scientific, religious structures are in fact embodiment of culture. His concept of culture seems to be valid even in the twentieth century and may be useful in the times to come. His conception offers the need of multiculturalism in the twentieth century.