Civilization: Its Cause and Cure

Civilisation: Its Cause and Cure; and Other Essays

In looking over this volume, first published in 1889, with a view to a final Edition, I am glad to note that after all there is not much in it requiring alteration. Considering that the original issue took place more than 30 years ago, I had thought that the great changes in scientific and philosophic thought which have taken place during that period would probably have rendered "out of date" a good deal of the book. As a matter of fact, the first paperthat on Civilisationwas given as a lecture before the Fabian Society, in 1888; and I shall not easily forget the furious attacks which were made upon it on that occasion. The bookpublished as a whole in 1889came in for a very similar reception from the press-critics. They slated it to the top of their bentexcept in those not unfrequent cases when they ignored it as almost beneath notice. The whole trend of the thought of the time was against its conclusions; and it is perhaps worth while to recall these facts in[Pg 8] order to measure how far we have travelled in these 30 years. For to-day (I think we may say) these conclusions are generally admitted as correct; and the views which seemed so hazarded and precarious at the earlier date are now fairly accepted and established. The word Civilisation has undoubtedly during this period suffered an ominous change of color. It is no longer an easy term denoting all that is ideal and delightful in social life, but on the contrary, carries with it a sense of doubt and of criticism, as of something that is by no means accepted yet, but is rather on its trialif not actually condemned! ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 44094
Author: Carpenter, Edward
Release Date: Nov 2, 2013
Format: eBook
Language: English