The Culture of Communion in Truth in the Thought of Edith Stein

Abstract

This article deals with the reflections of philosopher, mystic and martyr, Edith Stein, on the relationship of culture and the community which produces it through gifted individuals. Her life and her theoretical deliberations on culture provide a strong contribution to a more complete understanding of true culture. From her writings we can conclude that she sees true culture as being subject to continual development due to the need for open–mindedness toward the diversity of individuals and communities. She also elaborates on the importance of culture’s contribution to building the human community in general. Edith Stein deems that culture is not appropriated only through the spontaneous absorption of values imprinted into the various cultural objects and customs of the people in a specific community, but likewise through education for communion whereby a sensitivity to community values is fostered, the spirit of which is expressed in that particular culture. Each community which nurtures higher spiritual values and creates true communion among the people produces a culture which carries within it the deeper values of that community and transmits them to other people as well as other communities. Each individual who, through cultural and artistic expression, contributes to the creation of culture needs to be sensitive to the spirit of the community to which he or she belongs.