Are we Civilised, by what standard?

Question

We count ourselves as the civilised western world. But by what standard do we judge that?

Is it not true that when we are sick we go to a doctor (a qualified third party) to be diagnosed. Thus how then can we say that our society is civilised if we live in this society?

Who is it that has judged us to be civilised and what qualifications do they have to say that?

Why are we civilised and others are said to be not and can we truely say that we are civilised if for example ONLY there are people living in poverty while others are living in the lap of luxury at their expence as it where?

Please explain your answers with no relgious quotes unless nessecary.

I thank you in advance for your insight.

Answer 1

Looking at it globally, that is objectively without being influenced by any particular nation or culture, I come up with the following few criteria to judge the level of civilization

Economic:- everyone is duly provided with the basic minimum needs of food, clothing and shelter.

Distribution of wealth is just.

Educational:- everyone is duly provided with the basic minimum needs of literacy and communicative ability.

Sources of knowledge are freely accessible.

Social:- everyone is duly provided with the basic minimum needs of health and security care.

No discrimination based on gender, class, race etc.

Moral:- everyone is allowed freedom to serve self-interest accepting constraints for ensuring similar freedom to all.

All life, especially human life, is invariably valued above inanimate requisites.



The above criteria certainly leave much to be desired before we can claim even basic level of civilization.... essentially true civilization demands subservience of individual aspirations in reverence to collective necessities.

Answer 2

Not by a long shot. In fact, we've barely just got out of the jungle. No, the standard of civility must be judged by the stardard of life and well being. Our emotions are a very good indicator, or there lack of, because they are a very raw state of virtue. When the anger, hate, pride, prejudice, desire have cease to be common, we will be in a civil culture. One glance at our common institutions, and we see kids attacking teachers, the people attacking polititions, and countless groups attacking popular media. In a civil culture, these occurances would not exist. We have a long way to go, and we will know we are there when we feel the energy of a child in ourselves, the energy that only children from the age of 1-4 experience and the very few enlightened spiritual teachers, often considered saints.

Answer 3

I think the true benchmark of a civilized society is the presence of peace and well being of the citizens, regardless of whatever level of technology or luxury has been achieved.

Some indigenous peoples living in dirty huts can be said to be living in a more civilized society than many violent neighborhoods in America, if "civilized" means that generally all the people treat each other well and everybody cares for the well being of one another.

By my definition I think we like to pretend we live in a completely civilized society, but our criminal justice system and overcrowded prisons are proof that we still have yet a ways to go before we can make that claim. We may be mostly civilized much of the time, but until people stop hurting each other and fighting for power, wealth, status, and whatever else, then really all we are is a bunch of technologically advanced monkeys.

Answer 4

No we are not civilized in my opinion .Sure we are a more advanced civilization than cave men .But all through history .People with the ability to read and write .During the period they lived in called themselves civilized men .We are in some ways barbaric .When you think about the innocent people we executed before DNA. Or even the fact that we execute people at all . Or war against other nations and cultures .I think to be civilized ,would be to advance mentally to over come the flaws in humanity .Greed ,jealousy, hate, power, violence ,To have peace of mind ,compassion to others ,good will and prosperity to others equally for all people .As all people feel the same comforts ,breath the same air ,and take up the same space .

Answer 5

Anthropologists use the presence of a written language as a key defining aspect of whether a people is civilized or not. Technology is another factor. Also, a monotheistic religion is commonly found among civilized people. I don't know what makes a person qualified to say who is civilzed and who is not.

Answer 6

That's the problem with us in the USA we judge the rest of the world by our culture and standards. Who's to say we are right? We see this in Iraq, this so called war on terror is mostly a war on culture and religion

Answer 7

how thick is your skin?
you can it is thick by feeling it..
people judge if we are civilised or not like that..
they can be wrong they can be right,it is what you feel..
rebel all the laws and then discard what you feel won't suit your life..
feel your self from within...sit down see the sky...feel its vastness from inside..
after all this you will know what you are and whatever you are you are yourself and civilised...always be yourself...that is being civilised how much ever pain comes stick by yourself..