Summary by Sarah K. Wilson
Some
people look down on “culture” because they see it as a knowledge of
what’s “in” that serves to distinguish one from the lower
classes. Arnold believes
that culture should be sought out of curiosity, meaning a “liberal and
intelligent eagerness about things,” or “a desire after the things
of the mind simply for their own sakes and for the pleasure of seeing them as
they are” (466). Beyond
this, culture is also a “study of perfection” which “moves by
the force . . . of the moral and social passion for doing good”
(467). In other words, culture can
teach intellectual and moral good.
One who embraces this culture, works to bring about intellectual and
moral good in his life and work to make those things “prevail” in
society.
Compared
to utilitarianism, this pursuit seems “selfish, petty, and unprofitable”;
however, a society of intellectually and morally developed people, people who
seek culture as a “study of perfection,” is the only truly great
society (467). In this sense,
culture is actually quite beneficial. Pursuing culture
means realizing what’s important in life. Wealth, health, physicality are all meaningless. Only intellectual and moral development
are important. (470).
Culture
is worthwhile because it reminds us of what’s important and renews our
passion for “sweetness and light” (471). When true culture is achieved, true greatness occurs and
social classes are destroyed.