ABSTRACT
The paucity of cultural activity is evident in our third world countries, that is to say, among three quarters of human beings: this has been true since the dislocation of the great zones of civilization resulting from the shock of modernity or of Western penetration for at least a century. By “culture,” I mean here high culture in its spiritual, intellectual, scientific and artistic manifestations, for popular culture has managed to survive to some extent. If it is true that modern culture is Western in its origins and its form, it is nonetheless true that it can be adopted by all, once certain characteristics of a local nature are excluded. It is in a similar way that the ancient Arabs were able to assimilate Greek philosophy, but the West has made it possible for humanity to make immense progress: painting has become a universal art, and classical music should be as well. As for the natural and the human sciences, they are perfectly acceptable to all cultures.
