A scholar or scientist who studies culture as a system, examining how societies create and share their beliefs, arts, and customs.
From culture (via Latin cultura) plus Greek -logos (study) plus -ist (one who practices). This is a relatively modern term, gaining prominence in mid-20th century academic circles, particularly through Russian and European scholars.
While most people use 'anthropologist' for culture-study, a culturologist specifically focuses on culture as its own independent system of patterns and meaning—it's a distinction that makes sense when you realize culture deserves study without always being tied to biological or historical explanations.
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