№ 5 - 2012
De Vreede E.
Culture, Civilization and Identity

In the 1st part of the article the author realizes semantic differentiation of these sociological categories. To relate the gist in brief, culture is interpreted as the totality of behavioral practices being acquired and changing within a certain group – practices providing communication within it and its contraposition to the surrounding world. Civilization is that very culture seen by the group through the rose-colored spectacles, in an ideal presentation. Identity is the internalization of an individual’s civilization. The 2nd part of the article presents in a generalized manner a typical modern West European plural society, i.e. composed of groups of different cultural origin. The final part stresses the meaning of Intercultural Dialogue as the main solution to problems originating in cultural differences.