What is defined as the shared rules and beliefs of a society?

The correct choice is culture because it encompasses the collective beliefs, values, norms, and practices that characterize a group or society. Culture is an all-encompassing term that includes language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, and arts, representing the way of life for a particular society or community. It shapes and influences the behaviors and perspectives of individuals within that society, thereby playing a crucial role in social cohesion and identity.

Traditions refer more specifically to practices or customs that are passed down through generations, and while they are a significant part of culture, they do not encompass the broader set of rules and beliefs as a whole. Mores are norms that are considered to have moral significance and thus govern behavior in a society, but they are a subset of culture rather than the entirety. Taboos are prohibitions against certain behaviors or practices, reflecting the extreme ends of cultural norms, but again do not define the entirety of a society's shared rules and beliefs. Thus, culture is the most fitting term to describe the comprehensive system of shared ideas and values that guide a community.