Culture and civilization are not the same things and so they do not always
go hand in hand. They are not synonymous terms and so – if we accept that there is no such thing as a perfect synonym-
these two words have significantly different meanings, each one rather interesting, and so we won’t confuse them.
The distinction between
“culture” and “civilization” has been the subject of an extensive
and complex debate dating back to at least the end of the 18th century. Indeed
just when it was thought that this discussion had been forgotten
it was revitalized by the controversial “clash of civilizations” theory
put forward by Samuel Huntington. We will briefly note the nuances
and meanings
that separate them.
Traditionally the term “civilization” was reserved for collective, public, objectified, intersubjec- tive and materially observable aspects. On the other
hand the word “culture” was used mainly for personal,
subjective, mental
or spiritual
aspects which reveal personal singular character
and its individual value. Hence why Immanuel
Kant stated in 1784 “the idea of morality
belongs to culture", whilst “customs relating
to matrimonial matters and exterior decency
is called “civilization ”.