Is civilization getting better or worse? What is it that we have not yet learned?

Question

All philosophers and political scientists disagree with each other. Therefore, our knowledge base is still primitive and missing foundational knowledge. With all our history and learnings, what are we missing?

Answer 1

We are missing out on a true relationship with God. Societies keep distancing itself from the one true God which means civilation is going to get worse because of the moral decay and the harvest of plagues this world is sowing. What we truly need to learn is to respond to that call on our lives and stop ignoring the one who created us.

Answer 2

If you take the increase in scientific knowledge out of the equation, "civilisation" as it is now is not so different from how it has ever been. It still has the same fundamental flaw - it is composed of human individuals, not a collective consciousness that can strive towards some notion of progress or improvement. And human individuals, for all their many talents and achievements, are still, at the end of the day, fairly basic animals driven by the same selfish genes as every other creature on the planet, even if they are sometimes expressed more subtly.

There is an excellent book called "Straw Dogs" by John Gray that gives some very thought-provoking answers on this and other subjects.

Answer 3

Practical answer - Whether civilization is getting better or worse depends on what you use to measure civilization. I believe there are too many possible measures (probably an infinite number) for any one person to fully evaluate and rate in an unbiased manner and come up with an "accurate" answer.

From the heart answer - Although I think that civilization in many ways is getting better, I think we are likely to encounter some major catastrophes in the next 200 years that will set civilization back, but will not deter it from "progressing". I believe civilizations are controlled by the same laws that govern the evolution of life forms. Some will be successful and some will fail. Thy must be adaptable to conditions that are always changing.

What we haven't learned is to manage ideas and ideologies. I don't know if it is possible though, since I believe that ideas are also governed by the same laws of evolution.

Answer 4

Human nature (civilization) has not changed in shape or form. It has merely progressed to new issues. Part of the paranoia that exists in most western cultures today is directly attributed to the enhanced awareness that exists with modern communication busting into mainstream society. We hear about events world wide now almost in real time. This would be the only difference that would separate today's civilization from past civilization. Technology is the two edged sword for today's anxiety.

I would also point out that most of today's existing conflicts have more to do with the substantial resistance to technological change between eastern based civilization and western based civilizations than religion or form of government. Technology brings change, and this change causes real anxiety. People will always fear what they do not understand.

True diplomacy between eastern and western civilization may never happen because this would require tolerance and understanding. Neither culture is willing to participate with either of these. Our only salvation may require a horrific disaster on a global scale that would force world civilizations to unite as one for mutually assured survival.

Answer 5

I dunno. I think actually that the disagreements tell us something positive: where even the best philisophers make unverifiable assumptions, and where the philosophies take you if you accept the foundational principles.

For instance, take Kant and Ayn Rand. Kant's Categorial Imperative maintains that all people have an internal compulsion to act in a moral way. Rand says that the same internal compulsion is to act selfishly. Each arrives at a different conclusion, and to some degree both have tested false. This, I think, tells us something that neither expected: that no such assumptions about internal compulsions can be made.

The more we explore the philosophical universe the more we will find out.

Answer 6

It is better. In spite of what you here more food is available an There is less famine now than ever before. In spite of hearing about a murder ever 60 seconds we are safer than ever.Our knowledge has come a long way in the 20th century. were we went from the Model A to the Jet Age to the computer age to the information age. What used to take centuries to progress takes 20-30 years..

The hard part is not repeating the past.

Answer 7

Yes, to deal with 5 zillion Beths ... to find the balance between anarchy and order... ,personal freedom to the annhilation of the earth... shall we let each to his own devices .. end up in a battle to the death where the strong will survive?Who will the strong be ...you,me? The richest The most militarily powerful ,or in a nuclear exchange will the poorest of countries survive , having been overlooked in the fight of fire.. Does everyone have the right to nuclear power?Does anyone? Recycle if you want to is going well...NOT...Voluntary care of the poor, hungry and homeless is so effective...NOT....Leaving it up to us to care that one child dies every 3 seconds of hunger ... essentilly every time you take a breath... that's going well...But one thing is sure: toilets in America by and large are the best in the world! Of this we can be proud.Technology is awesome but here we are with the problematic human heart ... it wants what it wants and does not want regulation or restriction.

Answer 8

Civilization has improved.

Proof? Two words: Indoor and plumbing.

What are we missing? The notion that we are all in this together. I'm not talking socialist claptrap, but rather each individual achieves what he/she can to both benefit themselves and serve the community at large.

Answer 9

well the us civilization is getting worse due to the war. bush is giving all our money to build new wepons and we are suffering. gas prices are high, people have more bills, and houses are in bad condition. on 4th of july when we are suppose to be celebrating everyones fireworks stopped becuz no one can afford the big firworks. and no one was in the mood becuz this country is in a depression

Answer 10

People need to learn to MYOB, and let others live as they wish. The #1 problem today is people forcing their beliefs on others.