Or, put another way, Jewish traditions and Greek traditions. Now we’re talking too much freedom for too many people and that is the essence of anarchy. The Populace turns out to be the real fly in the ointment here because although they recognize they will never be considered equal to the Barbarians, they view the Philistines as within reach and so aspire to their ability to do as they like. The Philistines are defined by self-satisfaction and too prone to conservative acceptance of the status quo. Barbarians suffer from too great a refinement that winds up caring for most empty matters. He then goes on to sharpen the definition of the signature character traits separating these classes from the other. That means, of course, that the working class got off pretty easy with just being called the Populace.

The Barbarians are represented by the privileged aristocracy while the role of the Philistines had been handed down to the middle class. The terminology of the past is exploited by Arnold to describe the then-modern subdivision of classes. This conceptualization of anarchy is rooted the idea of British citizens having become too willing to trust in the machine of parliamentarian democracy to solve problems created by the conflict of everybody doing as he likes.Ĭhapter Three: Barbarian, Philistines, Populace Thus, in Arnold’s mode of structural thinking, anarchy differs substantially from the modern definition in that it is worshiping freedom itself as a concept rather than the benefits which come with understanding the responsibilities that come with being free. Anarchy is the result of doing as one likes on the basis of the freedom to enjoy the act rather on the consequences of that act.

The response to criticism, however, effectively serves the purpose of defining what lies in opposition to culture: anarchy. Rather than an assertion of philosophy like the first chapter, the second chapter is really more like a response essay. As a result, the irony is that culture is never completed because perfection cannot be attained culture is always in flux and adaptable. In seeking perfection, there are two requirements: an eagerness to learn based on seeing things as they really are and the effort to ensure that the rest of society is constructed upon this knowledge and recognition. That definition, put simply, is a society’s inexorable movement toward the idea. The opening chapter is where the author lays down the fundamental foundation of his perspective of the definition of culture. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

Arnold culture and anarchy