Consider the following statements: 1. The Idealistic Theory believes that culture originates from divine inspiration intuition or higher ideas perceived by individuals or groups. 2. The Materialistic Theory states that physical environment, climate and means of production shape culture first. 3. Vedic Culture developed only from religious beliefs and was not influenced by material conditions. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Idealistic theory of culture

• The idealistic or spiritual approach holds that culture originates in ideas, intuition and divine inspiration, and that the material world is shaped by the world of ideas. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Materialistic theory of culture

• The materialistic approach, associated with historians using historical materialism, holds that the geographical environment, climate, technology and the means and relations of production determine the social institutions and the culture built upon them. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Vedic culture

• Vedic culture was not the product of religious beliefs alone. The shift from a pastoral economy in the Rig Vedic period to a settled agrarian economy with the use of iron in the Later Vedic period transformed social organisation, the varna system, kingship and rituals.
• Thus material conditions clearly influenced the growth of Vedic culture. Hence, statement 3 is incorrect.
• Therefore, only two statements are correct.