In Search of Civilization
Remaking a tarnished idea
1st Edition
Published on 25. June 2009
208 pages
978-0-14-196126-2 (ISBN)
Description
In Arthur Ransome's charming tale of childhood adventure, Secret Water, four children are pretending to be savages approaching an outpost of the civilized world.
'What is civilization?' asks Bridget, the youngest.
'Ices,' explains her brother, 'and all that sort of thing.'
It is probably the briefest definition of the term on record in English, though it doesn't quite do justice to the grand idea of civilization. But if it isn't ices then what exactly is meant by civilization, and why do we need it?
Today, the debate around civilization and its meaning has almost disappeared. If talked about at all, it will be as part of a different debate: the political tensions between different parts of the world, colonial history, developments in engineering.Yet the promise of civilization is greater: if considered in its full meaning civilization can be a way of reconnecting grand, societal forces - economic liberty, social freedom - with the more intimate and deeper needs of life - wisdom, maturity, a flourishing of culture. In In Search of Civilization John Armstrong argues cogently and passionately that our sources of wisdom, maturity and happiness are rapidly drying up.Only by reviving a conversation about civilization can we put in place the conditions for our renaissance.
'What is civilization?' asks Bridget, the youngest.
'Ices,' explains her brother, 'and all that sort of thing.'
It is probably the briefest definition of the term on record in English, though it doesn't quite do justice to the grand idea of civilization. But if it isn't ices then what exactly is meant by civilization, and why do we need it?
Today, the debate around civilization and its meaning has almost disappeared. If talked about at all, it will be as part of a different debate: the political tensions between different parts of the world, colonial history, developments in engineering.Yet the promise of civilization is greater: if considered in its full meaning civilization can be a way of reconnecting grand, societal forces - economic liberty, social freedom - with the more intimate and deeper needs of life - wisdom, maturity, a flourishing of culture. In In Search of Civilization John Armstrong argues cogently and passionately that our sources of wisdom, maturity and happiness are rapidly drying up.Only by reviving a conversation about civilization can we put in place the conditions for our renaissance.
Reviews / Votes
An engaging and persuasive writer with a very non-technical approach to theoretical issues . . . he has some fine turns of phrase . . . His aesthetic sense seems strong and reliable -- Noel Malcolm * Sunday Telegraph * In a passionate defence of its qualities, John Armstrong argues that the concept of civilisation still has specific meaning . . . it is underscored with the fragments of a memoir that in part explains . . . the book's considerable charm and spirit of innocent longing -- Elizabeth Speller * Financial Times * John Armstrong's new book, lyrical, courageous and uplifting, is seeking to do nothing less than reform the ambitions of western societies and encourage the growth of a set of values he captures with a highly unusual and intriguing word: "civilisation". -- Alain de Botton * Guardian * In a passionate defence of its qualities, John Armstrong argues that the concept of civilisation still has specific meaning . . . it is underscored with the fragments of a memoir that in part explains . . . the book's considerable charm and spirit of innocent longing -- Elizabeth Speller * Financial Times *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
File size
2,15 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-14-196126-2 (9780141961262)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
06/2010
Penguin Books Ltd
€19.30
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Associate Professor John Armstrong is Philosopher in Residence at the Melbourne Business School and Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor of Melbourne University. Born in Glasgow and educated at Oxford and London, he has lived in Australia since 2001. He is the author of several internationally acclaimed books on art, aesthetics and philosophy, including The Secret Power of Beauty and Conditions of Love.
