24 Setembro 2024, 15:30
•
Amândio Reis
1. Leitura e comentário da primeira parte do capítulo "O Conceito de Cultura" (1.2.1. Definição), do manual Teorias da Cultura, de Maria Laura Bettencourt Pires (Lisboa: U. Católica Editora, 2006).
1.1. A "cultura" enquanto erudição e/ou enquanto modo de vida: sentidos não equivalentes para o mesmo termo.
1.2. "Cultura" e "Civilização": aspectos e problemas de uma relação entre dois conceitos conexos; a cultura enquanto base comum e a civilização enquanto factor diferencial; concepções elitistas e/ou hierárquicas da cultura.
1.3. As três características essenciais para a definição de cultura: 1) simbólica, 2) aprendida, 3) partilhada.
24 Setembro 2024, 11:00
•
Mário Vítor Bastos
The key points of the lecture revolved around cultural behavior, language, and the interaction between humans and animals, particularly monkeys.
Main Themes:
1. Resources:
Students were advised namely to explore different versions of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (to be studied in class) available online, with a focus on textual differences and how these versions influence critical interpretations.
2. Human Behavior and Culture:
The speaker moved on to a discussion about behavior and culture. The relationship between behavior and culture is explored, emphasizing how behaviors influence cultural norms, especially regarding language—spoken and written.
3. Monkeys, Behavior and Culture:
After the screenning of a short video on the subject, a significant portion of the lecture compared human behavior with that of monkeys. Monkeys in Bali are used as an example of how animals interact with humans, exhibiting behaviors like stealing tourists' belongings. These behaviors are analyzed in terms of whether they stem from instinct or learned behavior. The question posed is whether monkeys have a culture or if their actions are just habitual.
4. Value and Negotiation:
The lecture delves into how monkeys understand the concept of value, even if they don’t grasp the human concept of money. This section humorously explores how monkeys "negotiate" with humans, trading stolen items for food, and parallels are drawn between this and human cultural practices.
5. Addiction and Cultural Habits:
Another key theme is addiction, using smoking as an example. The discussion addresses whether behaviors like smoking are cultural, influenced by social settings and media, or purely physiological addictions. The idea that certain behaviors, such as smoking or drinking, may start as social habits but evolve into personal addictions is explored in depth.
6. Animal Behavior in Laboratories:
Towards the end, there’s a shift to scientific studies, particularly how animals like cats are used in labs to study behavior. The speaker points out how animals, like humans, can develop addictions, further highlighting the thin line between natural behavior and learned cultural practices.
7. Conclusion:
The lecture closes with a reflection on the cultural significance of food, cooking, and eating, portraying them as sophisticated cultural practices. The session ends on a note of gratitude and a light-hearted farewell.
Key Takeaways:
- Human vs. Animal Culture: The lecture explores whether behaviors seen in animals can be considered cultural or simply instinctual, particularly focusing on monkeys and their interactions with humans.
- Addiction as Cultural Phenomenon: Smoking and other addictive behaviors are analyzed through the lens of cultural influence, particularly social environments and media.
- Food and Pleasure: The discussion touches on food as not just sustenance but also a source of pleasure and a cultural art form.