Of Civilization and of Man

The word civilization brings to mind different connotations.

From tribal times we can conclude as in Homer's Iliad : The Hellenes, preferred tribe of the Gods of Olympus.

A Nation was defined then as a race, a religion, a language, and a territory; with a king.

A civilization was the legacy of a nation over a sustainable time line, if it's vitality allowed it to conquer and prevail over its neighbours.

This notion of civilization then evolved with the advent of urban growth and the ability to feed sedentary populations living in centers of human activity; agricultural, administrative and artisanal, thanks to the invention of staple cereal production and the growth of trade.

As now the population became cosmopolitan and the rules of citizenry and status evolved. Democracy flowered and rules of law other than brute force emerged.

This initial flowering occurred in Athens and the word civilization was no longer constrained by the four criteria that initially prevailed. All those who contributed to cultural development and social conscience in the City now were acclaimed, whatever their origin or faith.

It is this flowering which is now seen in current times to better define the meaning of civilization rather than the age old criteria of the tribal age.

Our western civilization thus incorporates new rules other than ethnicity and religion to define its cultural unity.

I refer to this flowering of the knowledge tree to define my own perception of the word

--civilization--, to affirm that western civilization is unique in having pushed this INCLUSIVE process farther than all others.

Inclusion of humanity, all of it, into one basic family of life is now the Norm. We are all the better for it. What makes humanity one is stronger than what divides it.

This is the legacy of Socrates, the father of western civilization.

Not race, nor religion, nor territory, nor gender, nor language.

The torch of western civilization is the combat by man, for man and of man, or it isn't anything at all.

Le seul combat qui vaille : celui de l'Homme. (Charles de Gaulle)

And now for his eco-system. Defined and limited space of mortal cage.

In danger from Man's own hubris.