The Difference between Asian and American Traditional Cultural Values

Outline

Introduction

Thesis

Cultural Values and Beliefs

Definition of Culture

Definition of Cultural Values

Common American Values

Common Asian Values

Impact of Internal Factors on American and Asian Values

Impact of Religion on American and Asian Values

Hinduism , Confucianism and Daoism

Catholicism , Protestantism and Methodologists

Impact of Historical Development on American and Asian Values

Comparison between American and Asian Values

Differences between American and Asian Values

Commonalities between American and Asian Values

Conclusion

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27 May 2007

The Difference between Asian and American Traditional Cultural Values

Asian and American traditional cultures are influenced by historical and social processes . In both cultures there is a link between religion ethnic identity and political policies which influence culture and its historical development . Thesis The main differences between American and Asian values are caused by different historical developments of both nations , the influence of different religious beliefs and sacred practices and different social structure of societies

Berman creates a unique framework which helps to understand the notion of culture , its dimensions and impact on people . Berman (2001 ) defines culture as "a shared , learned , symbolic system of values , beliefs and attitudes that shapes and influences perception and behavior , an abstract "mental blueprint " or "mental code (14 . Cultural values are shared by members of a society and determine the behavioral traits Culture shapes behavior of people and their perception of the world Hofstede underlines that cultural values are a shared system of meanings , which is learned (Kammen 8

Common American values involve individuality , privacy concerns , equality and independence , hard work and employment opportunities , looking for the future and good education . Also , American value time and try to make the best use of their working hours (Berman 74 . Asian cultural values are collectivism , family traditions , community responsibility and social harmony , religious traditions and sacred holidays , patience , obedience ethical pluralism , etc (Oxtoby 39

Internal social factors have a crucial impact on Asian and American cultures determining the way of living and thinking . Hinduism Confucianism and Daoism are the oldest world 's religions that embody old wisdom with unique traditions and rituals . For Asian people , religion is the whole tradition of living which includes philosophical and human values so wide that a brief definition cannot express all importance and multi-sided concept . Religion has a great impact on such values as patience , obedience and ethical pluralism

In all Eastern religions , the main religious principles are calmness and obedience

In many cases , life philosophy reflects morality and dissoluteness of the society . In Hinduism , Confucianism and Daoism Hinduism knowledge comes direct from experience as it does not rely on the abstractions and classifications of the intellect which as people have experienced are always relative and approximate . Asian religions represent Eastern medicine based on mind-body interaction , and a strong dependence between spiritual and physical state of a person (Oxtoby 45

Catholicism , Protestantism and Methodological church have a crucial impact on American culture . Impressions and interpretation of the land and the Puritans traditions shaped American culture brining unique...