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Everyone please give a one or two sentence definition of civilization.Here's mine: Civilization is when barbarism is no longer acceptable behavior. (well, it's not really mine, I got it from Lee Harris's book Civilization and its Enemies)
Civilization: A human societal stage where sedentary agriculture and animal husbandry (domestication) is achieved capable of supporting higher population densities, and facilitating the ability to pursue more complex social interaction; coupled with advancements in technology. Common traits of civilization are: division of labor, representational government based on a hierarchical bureaucratic structure, and the proliferation of luxury items and entertainments.How's that?
I beleive civilization is what the human condition is on the inside, how men treat one another, and what constructive things they do for the benefit of human kind.
Good definitions so far!
division of labor
Is this commonly overlooked? I think this is important. No?
What do you need this definition for? I'd say civilization is the permanent, settlement of a self-governing people that shares common customs, mores, or other ideals.
Good definitions so far!
division of labor
Is this commonly overlooked? I think this is important. No?
It's fundamental to any definition of civilization IMHO....I wouldn't say it's overlooked, but perhaps not stressed as much as it should be. Division of labor means structure, hierarchy, specialization, interdependence etc.....all hallmarks of civilization.
What do you need this definition for? I'd say civilization is the permanent, settlement of a self-governing people that shares common customs, mores, or other ideals.
That definition might closer fit "culture." IMHO
I don't think that “culture” would include the notion of self-governance, nor does it require permanent settlement. I think that “civilization” does include a notion of common culture, however.
Customs, mores, and ideals are cultural though.
Indeed, and that is why I included it in my definition of "civilization". I think that a civilization is more than a mere collection of disparate individuals, but a community which shares a common culture - whether it be religion, economic ideals, politics, etc.
Customs, mores, and ideals are cultural though.
Indeed, and that is why I included it in my definition of "civilization". I think that a civilization is more than a mere collection of disparate individuals, but a community which shares a common culture - whether it be religion, economic ideals, politics, etc.
Nailing down a concise and all inclusive definition for civilization is probably not going to happen in two sentences. So many criteria must be met in order to classify a civilization as such. Size and scope, complexity, homogeneity or diversity (whichever the case may be or both), economic output, chronological stability, educational levels, and territorial range. In my opinion, civilization is a nebulus term.....and I suspect this is what skiguy is getting at.
Yes, I think that the definition may be somewhat elusive. I tried to give a broad definition to cover the basics and I think a rough sketch can be made. That's why included the things I did, such as permanent settlement (unlike nomadic people or transient groups), self-governance (rather than a colony ruled by a motherland or a city living in slavery to another kingdom), and common culture (to show uniqueness and an element of autonomy). Early civs such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and others share these common threads.Could I have narrowed it down more? I think most likely yes.In your definition you included some common traits of civilizations, which is a good way to define by example.
Civilization: A human societal stage where sedentary agriculture and animal husbandry (domestication) is achieved capable of supporting higher population densities, and facilitating the ability to pursue more complex social interaction; coupled with advancements in technology. Common traits of civilization are: division of labor, representational government based on a hierarchical bureaucratic structure, and the proliferation of luxury items and entertainments.How's that?
Agreed... follows V. Gordon Childes traits of Urbanization http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization#What_characterizes_civilizationbut what about civility?Wally
I don't mean to keep digging up these old threads but….Funny thing is, this was the first discussion question posed at school. And the reponses were amazing. I'm glad about that too because the discussions int he other classes were minimal. Everyone just did the basic, one post, two other reponses. So far, this class has over 75 responses to this and it's only the first week.The prof (who seems pretty cool because she gets involved in the discussions, the other prof. just let the students do it) asked to name ONE thing that defines civilization. Most of us said, when a large group of people settle and come together for a common cause (like to grow crops). There were some other reponses about governing and all that, but I don't think that's necessarily accurate.Here's a question I posed. Is society a result of civilization or is it the other way around? My thinking is, society forms as civilization advances. Society is religion, politics, culture, etc. IMO, you don't really need those to define civilization. However, the professor answered back with, what about the hunter-gatherer communities? Couldn't you say they were a society? What do you think? And do you think "community" and "society" are not the same thing? (I don't think they are)
I don't mean to keep digging up these old threads but....Funny thing is, this was the first discussion question posed at school. And the reponses were amazing. I'm glad about that too because the discussions int he other classes were minimal. Everyone just did the basic, one post, two other reponses. So far, this class has over 75 responses to this and it's only the first week.The prof (who seems pretty cool because she gets involved in the discussions, the other prof. just let the students do it) asked to name ONE thing that defines civilization. Most of us said, when a large group of people settle and come together for a common cause (like to grow crops). There were some other reponses about governing and all that, but I don't think that's necessarily accurate.Here's a question I posed. Is society a result of civilization or is it the other way around? My thinking is, society forms as civilization advances. Society is religion, politics, culture, etc. IMO, you don't really need those to define civilization. However, the professor answered back with, what about the hunter-gatherer communities? Couldn't you say they were a society? What do you think? And do you think "community" and "society" are not the same thing? (I don't think they are)
Community is perhaps more intimately connected than "society." By "intimate" I mean a community is interdependent for survival...pretty much a team effort where no member can be left out of the daily activities in order for the group to function as a whole. In a society, the members are less dependent on each other for individual survival, and therefore are more free to experiment and contribute to non essential activities such as the arts, sports and recreation, and inventing new technologies. When people have more leisure time, (i.e. not having to spend most of their time gathering food and water, building shelter, defending themselves etc...), they tend to take on more and more complexity to their lives thus giving rise to an increasingly more diverse culture...a society. Well this is how I would differentiate the two anyway.
