Through their writing, Karl Marx and Matthew Arnold show their opposing views on the
importance of internal and external functions of culture. In the first chapter of
Culture and Anarchy, "Sweetness and Light", Arnold describes culture as being
responsible for the progress of politics and society and as "the best knowledge and
thought of the time" (19). Matthew Arnold's culture is based on two main aspects,
religion and education. Karl Marx, however, strongly contrasts Arnold's ideas. Marx
views culture as being derived from the advancement of the sciences.
Matthew Arnold's definition of culture comes from "a mid-nineteenth-century Germanic
notion of culture which is founded upon his study of Goethe and Schiller" (19). He
believed many other cultures are based on the thought of curiosity and on scientific
expansion. Arnold believed culture was based on the expansion of the individual's mind;
only through education can a perfect culture be reached. In his writings, Arnold stated
that for a man to be cultured he has to be versed in both religion and classic
literature. Although Arnold's culture sought the advancement of the human mind; he did
not want people to get wrapped up in technology. "Faith in machinery is, I said, our
besetting danger; often in machinery most absurdly disproportioned to the end which this
machinery" (23). Arnold believes his culture is "more interesting and more far-reaching
than that other, which is founded solely on the scientific passion for knowing" (21).
Arnold believed that culture dealt with perfection; as he stated in "Sweetness and
Light", "Culture is then properly describe not as having its origin in curiosity, but as
having its origin in the love of perfection; it is a study of perfection" (21). Arnold
also says that culture is the endeavor to make the moral and social characteristics of
individuals prevail. Because culture is a study of perfection, then it is also an
"inward condition of the mind and spirit, not in an outward set of circumstances" (Arnold
23). Arnold states that, "In thus making sweetness and light to be characters of
perfection, culture is of like spirit with poetry..." (25).
Matthew Arnold felt that religion was an important aspect of culture. Arnold felt that
when the reason of God prevailed all society will be cultured. As Arnold states, "Now,
then, is the moment for culture to be of service, culture which believes in making reason
and the will of God prevail, believes in perfection, is the study of perfection,..."
(21). Marx states that the ruling class of culture would be the intellectual and
material force, he makes no mention of the religious aspects. In Karl Marx's culture, on
the other hand, there would not be enough time to devote to the enrichment of the
individual's religious mind. This is caused by his strong devotion to technological
advancement.
The view Marx has toward religion and culture as a whole vividly portrays his feelings
toward the internal aspect of culture. Marx thought the culture of a nation derived from
the economic situation of the nation. His writings show he is more inclined toward the
external aspect of culture. This external view of culture includes the thoughts of
production, industry, and scientific breakthroughs. Another aspect of Marx's focus on
external culture is his lack of focus on the development of religion and education. The
focus on Marx's culture was the advancement of technology and power.
The writings of Marx and Arnold strongly oppose each other. The vast differences
between Marx's and Arnold's opinion on culture are well noted in their writings. Marx's
view of religion and education being non-important in his perfect culture contradicts the
view of Matthew Arnold. Arnold believed that culture was a study of perfection in the
mind of the individual. These contradicting views are an example of culture's various
definitions in the world.
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