The term “civilization” is a complex and sweeping concept, often lauded as a symbol of human progress and achievement; which makes it easy to perplex or offend people. It refers to societies that have fashioned a vital requirement for living from a culture. It could be viewed as an ideal that captures a pinnacle of cultural and societal development, characterized by advanced technologies, complex social structures, and impressive architectural feats.  As our own ideas of civilization evolved, and its definition grown more nuanced; it is no longer viewed by anthropologists and scholars as a designation implying that one culture is superior to another but rather a marker of a “mature culture.”

What defines a “Civilization”?

The odyssey of civilization, from its rawest material to its most decadent abstract, is a convoluted one to attempt to grasp on both time and space dimensions. At its most basic and elemental, it can be used to describe any society that has devised: (1) a system of writing, (2) governance, (3) surplus food production, (4) division of labor, and (5) urbanization. As the notion of civilization has evolved, it has become evident that city-building is a central component of any civilization since a stationary community – as we grow in size and complexity – is the first step in developing all other facets needed to sustain a society.

But, what do we see as we look around at the towering cities and bustling metropolises that we have built? Do we see the markings of a mature culture? Are we genuinely civilized, or are we simply astute simians dwelling amidst our own waste? Can we confront the elemental trade-offs that underpin human progress? Can we contemplate whether our transition from foraging to urban life has conferred more blessings than curses?

The Price We Pay for Civilization
(a.k.a. the cost of progress)

The pursuit of progress has also resulted in the loss of valuable skills and knowledge necessary for our survival. We have lost our connection to the land, and with it, our understanding of the cycles of nature and the need to live in harmony with the environment.

One of the most significant costs of civilization is the toll it has taken on us as people of the earth. Urbanization and industrialization have resulted in deforestation, soil degradation, air and water pollution, and climate change. The exploitation of natural resources has led to the depletion of non-renewable resources, and the reckless use of chemicals and other harmful substances has resulted in a significant loss of biodiversity.

The core cost (or, price) of producing a sedentary civilization is the loss of skills and knowledge that were once essential for our survival. We have become increasingly specialized and dependent on complex systems of production and distribution. We have sacrificed our ability to live independently and sustainably in the natural world. Here is a quick run down of our hunter-gatherer story, regardless of origin:

1. We are compelled, forced, or chosen to settle into an agricultural existence and commence producing surpluses.
2. Our surpluses grow large enough to enable trade and commerce, as well as the accumulation of wealth and power.
3. Societies use their wealth and power to manipulate their urban hubs, by enabling greater social and economic expansion, as well as introducing advanced technologies to new parts of the population.
4. The population, society, and civilization story can be read by looking at the infrastructure. Political and economic systems that facilitate the establishment of laws, regulations, and social norms that aided the functioning of society.
5. The rudimentary form of government that sufficed for a small community became more elaborate and centralized, frequently involving a religious element and leading to the erection of temples and a written corpus of literature concerning deities.
6. The corpus of literature enables long-distance commerce, and spurs new writing systems to document business agreements.
7. Optional, but not recommended (as the Greeks did): Conceptualize your version of civilization as a state of cultural advancement superior to others, as not merely distinct from but superior to other peoples.

The erection of cities has always been regarded as a primary condition for a culture to be deemed a civilization, even if it lacks a writing system. But, it is only through writing systems can we answer these questions raised about civilization: Is it a grand achievement or a grand deception that leads to our downfall? Have we traded one set of problems for another, and are we really more advanced than our hunter-gatherer ancestors? The disconnection from nature and basic survival skills has left us vulnerable to the challenges of the modern world, and the pursuit of progress has resulted in the loss of valuable skills and knowledge necessary for our survival.

Urbanization is often underscored as a sine qua non for civilization since a civilization cannot be nomadic. Take for example: The purpose of Göbekli Tepe is indeterminate, although most scholars believe it was a sanctuary. The construction of permanent dwellings seems to have been solely for the purpose of building Göbekli Tepe, and once that was accomplished, the community moved on. This is why, when the notion of civilization is applied to the people of the Göbekli Tepe civilization, they are not deemed one of the earliest civilizations since they were semi-nomadic. Since a permanent dwelling is what defines a civilization; perhaps the most pressing question facing us is whether we are in a cycle of growth, stagnation, decline, or renewal; and where does that matter in our state of desired permanence? While economic expansion, political reform, social or environmental decay, and technological or cultural innovation are all important factors that influence the trajectory of civilizations, we must also consider the deeper cultural and philosophical values that underpin our collective aspirations and ambitions.

Reducing social complexity requires us to recognize the need to shift towards sustainable practices that prioritize the preservation of the natural world. This means moving away from the current model of resource extraction and consumption and towards a circular economy that prioritizes the efficient use of resources and the reduction of waste.

Instead of measuring progress solely by economic growth and technological advancements, we should focus on creating a society that prioritizes the well-being of all its members and the environment. We must develop knowledge systems, which can offer unique solutions to specific issues on sustainability, community, and the interconnectedness of all living beings, and incorporate them into our ongoing value system.

What Has Been Already Read and Said

Reading critically and engaging with alternative perspectives is crucial in understanding the complexities of human civilization and its evolution. As we continue to reflect on the complexities of civilization, it is important to remember that history is not solely composed of the works and ideas of well-known figures. There are countless individuals throughout history whose works have been forgotten, overlooked, or deliberately suppressed, yet their contributions are no less significant. These forgotten works offer valuable insights into the perspectives, beliefs, and practices of diverse communities, providing a more nuanced understanding of the evolution of civilization over time.

It’s important to note that while books like Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs, and Steel” and Steven Pinker’s “The Better Angels of Our Nature” have sparked important conversations and inspired critical thinking about complex issues like the development of civilizations and the nature of progress; they are not without their criticisms and shortcomings.

Many people are drawn to cult favorite books with the expectation that they will provide a complete understanding of complex issues. Guns, Germs, and Steel is a prime example of this phenomenon. Diamond’s Eurocentric perspective has already been criticized for perpetuating racist stereotypes about non-Western societies, downplaying the role of cultural factors in shaping the trajectories of civilizations, and oversimplifying complex historical processes. Critics argue that his theory downplays the agency and creativity of human societies, as well as the importance of cultural factors in shaping historical trajectories. Some argue that Diamond’s theory could be seen as deterministic or reductionist, ignoring the complexity of historical processes and oversimplifying them. Unfortunately, Guns, Germs, and Steel is not the only book that has been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and oversimplifying complex issues. Steven Pinker’s The Better Angels of Our Nature has also been criticized for ignoring systemic inequality and structural violence in shaping human history, promoting a deterministic view of progress, and overlooking the agency of individuals and social movements.

The Great Divergence by Kenneth Pomeranz challenges the notion that Europe’s economic and military dominance in the modern era was solely due to its access to natural resources and favorable geography, emphasizing instead a complex mix of factors that enabled Europe to industrialize. Which leads us to see that even Charles C. Mann’s revisionist history in 1491, which offers a fresh perspective on the Americas before the arrival of Europeans, has been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about Native American societies.

To avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes and oversimplifying complex issues, it is crucial to read critically and engage with diverse viewpoints. We must remember that knowledge is constantly evolving and that a complete understanding of complex issues is not always possible.

I have curated a reading list of essential works that go into the first principles of society, government, economy, and scientific progress. These books offer valuable insights and serve as the building blocks for dialogue on civilization and the systems we currently find ourselves interfacing with.

Other Perspectives on Civilization

Zhuangzi, a Chinese philosopher who lived during the 4th century BC, is best known for his eponymous book, which contains a collection of stories and parables that explore themes such as the nature of reality, the limits of language, and the importance of non-action. His writings have had a profound influence on Taoism and Chinese philosophy. Zhuangzi’s stories are full of vivid and imaginative characters, such as a tree that dreams of becoming a carriage, a fish that dreams of becoming a bird, and a man who believes he is a butterfly dreaming of being a man. Through these stories, Zhuangzi challenges our assumptions about the world and invites us to question our own beliefs and perceptions. His ideas about the importance of simplicity, spontaneity, and living in harmony with nature continue to inspire readers today.

Below are some examples of individuals who recognized the importance of balancing the benefits of sedentary civilization with the preservation of certain skills and knowledge that were once necessary for human survival.

1. Artist and writer John Ruskin believed that industrialization and urbanization were destroying the natural beauty of the countryside and the skills and knowledge of traditional craftspeople. He argued that society needed to return to a simpler, more rural way of life.
   Ruskin praised the work of craftsmen who created beautiful objects by hand and advocated for the preservation of traditional skills such as weaving, woodworking, and stone carving.
2. Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that civilization had corrupted human nature and led to the development of inequality, selfishness, and social hierarchies. He believed that humans were naturally good, and that society needed to return to a simpler, more primitive way of life to restore this goodness.
   Rousseau praised the simple and egalitarian life of hunter-gatherer societies, where people shared resources and lived in harmony with nature.
3. Historian Lewis Mumford believed that modern cities and industrial society had become too big, too complex, and too impersonal, leading to a loss of community and a sense of individual identity. He argued that society needed to decentralize and return to smaller, more human-scale communities.
   Mumford criticized the monotony and uniformity of modern suburbs, which he saw as sterile and disconnected from nature.
4. Omar Ibn Said was a scholar and writer from Senegal who was enslaved and brought to the United States in the early 1800s. Despite being illiterate in English, he managed to write a series of manuscripts in Arabic documenting his experiences and beliefs, providing a rare first-hand account of the life of a Muslim slave in America.
   In his recently published and digitized autobiography, Said described the cruelty and injustice of slavery, his struggles to maintain his faith and identity in a foreign land, and his observations of American society and culture.
5. Hatshepsut was a pharaoh of Egypt who ruled during the 15th century BC. Hatshepsut was notable for her successful military campaigns, impressive building projects, and promotion of trade with other civilizations. S
   She has written narratives detailing her expeditions to the land of Punt (likely located in modern-day Somalia) to trade for exotic goods such as incense, myrrh, and ivory.
6. Sei Shonagon was a Japanese author and court lady who lived in the late 10th and early 11th century. Sei Shonagon is best known for her collection of essays, “The Pillow Book,” which provides a fascinating glimpse into the daily life, customs, and attitudes of the Japanese aristocracy during the Heian period.
   She wrote about the beauty of cherry blossoms, the etiquette of courtship and marriage, and the pleasures of attending poetry contests and other cultural events. She even wrote a book about everything she finds not tasteful about her society at one point.
7. Mirabai was a 16th-century Indian poet and mystic who is regarded as one of the most important figures in the Bhakti movement, a devotional movement in Hinduism. Mirabai’s poetry expresses her devotion to Lord Krishna and her rejection of the societal norms and restrictions placed on women of her time.
   She wrote about her longing to be united with Krishna, her frustration with the expectations placed on her as a woman, and her struggles to maintain her independence and spirituality in a patriarchal society.

The List: 8 Foundational Works

The foundational works of civilization are essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the principles that have shaped our society and the world as we know it. These works are classics in their respective fields and have shaped the way we think about politics, economics, society, and scientific progress.

I highlighted the key takeaways and major contributions in bold, for a quick “why read this” at a glance.

Finally…

We must recognize that the way we think about civilization is not objective but rather subjective, shaped by our cultural and societal norms, biases, and values. This subjectivity can lead to the exclusion of certain groups or cultures from the narrative of civilization, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and hierarchies. It’s important to acknowledge and embrace the diversity of human experience and the value of non-civilized ways of life. Indigenous knowledge systems, for example, offer unique perspectives on sustainability, community, and the interconnectedness of all living beings.