Abstract This paper examines the systematization of the ideology of African civilization in Tanganyika between the wars, in the context of colonial strategies of Indirect Rule. It shows that largely fictitious images of African history, tradition, social structure and culture were developed in an attempt to co‐opt elements of the colonized, against the background of widespread resistance to colonialism and a pervasive post‐World War I crisis of the 'civilizing mission'. Administrators. missionaries, social scientists and others contributed to this ideology of 'Africanity'. Attention is also drawn to the striking parallels between aspects of African civilization and post‐1967 African socialism, and the suggestion made that the connecting link lies in African intellectuals from the 1930s embracing notions of African civilization to deal with the contradictions of their own position in colonial Tanganyika.History has to be rewritten in each generation, because although the past does not change the present does; each generation asks new questions of the past, and finds new areas of sympathy as it relives different aspects of the experience of its predecessors.
In: Mishra, S. N. (2002). Tradition Modernity and Future of Civilisation. Presented at Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, India. Organized by Indian Council of Philosophical Research, New Delhi, India (February 03rd to 06th 2002).
AbstractLiving systems trace the birth, growth, maturity, sensecence and death sequence. So‐called inanimate systems such as cities, corporations and civilizations also evolve and age and may die if corrective measures are not instituted. Beyond a certain size, uncontrolled growth and gigantism become a burden, which contribute to the malfunction of the system. In this paper questions are raised about size vs function and the forces which drive a system from its stationary state to other emerging, nonequilibrium states. These forces may be economic, entropic, or in the case of civilizations, be the uncreative malaise which settles in after the bureaucracy becomes too firmly entrenched.
This master's thesis is about neoliberal civilization – a complex and comprehensive social phenomenon that appears to be able to spread its influence all over the world, and that effectively monopolizes the right to define social relations and transformations in most areas of social life. This is a theoretical study which includes a definition, an evaluation, and a discussion of neoliberal civilization and its future trends. It provides an interpretation of the financial and debt crisis, and the solutions employed to manage the crisis. It provides an evaluation of the epistemological foundations of this system, on its nature and purposes. As a conceptualization, neoliberal civilization refers to the discursive practices of neoliberal international political economy (IPE). It refers to a system that is being represented as an ideal, and which forms a set of discursive rules and practices that define most areas of social life and that subject most people to roles defined by it. It is an attempt to dominate social relations and the destiny of the world from a particular perspective of vested interests. Globalization, interdependences, democracy, and economy are concepts set up from the perspective of dominant market actors, and that serve the dominant interest of the global market place. In order to be free individuals, we need to rethink freedom, individualism and political economy with other tools than those of neoliberal civilization. Major sources of neoliberal theory include Friedrich von Hayek'sRoad to Serfdom(1956 [1944]), Constitution of Liberty(2006 [1960]),Fatal Conceit(1988), Ludwig von Mises'Theory and History(1957), and Milton and Rose Friedman'sFree to Choose(1979). Other sources for neoliberal IPE include the internet pages of IMF, WTO, World Bank, policy agency groups, and major corporate interest groups. I have approached the analytical conceptualization of neoliberal civilization from a normative perspective, based on a theocentric cognitive systematization, the Universal System of Love, and an interpretation of Adam Smith's System of Natural Liberty. The first of the two perspectives is based on Emanuel Swedenborg'sDivine Love and Wisdom(2009a [1763]), the second on Smith'sTheory of Moral Sentiments(2006 [1759]), andWealth of Nations(2005, [1776]). Both perspectives led to a rejection of neoliberal epistemology, and a reformulation of the concept of freedom. Neoliberal civilization appears to have perverted the ideas of freedom, individualism and markets to a form that is inimical to freedom, not coherent with the natural laws, and that deprives self-interest its materially progressive and morally beneficial features exposed by Adam Smith. The purposes of this study required only an outline of these two perspectives, to be used for evaluative analysis. I find that the Swedenborgian perspective can be used for transforming the philosophy of science, and the Smithian perspective for uniting the liberal and Marxist traditions, and the movement of another and better world. I ground this claim on the ability to unthink, rethink, systematize and unite that these perspective seem to offer. Asiasanat:neoliberalism, civilization, international political economy, discourse, epistemology, morality, freedom, liberty, Smith, Hayek, crisis, debt
It is contended that the downfall of the global industrial civilization is necessary for humankind's future survival. An overview of the emergence & gradual collapse of the international industrial civilization emphasizes the various agencies responsible for its rise & the factors that have engendered its downfall. It is argued that the global industrial civilization is irreparably damaging the global environment, thus threatening humankind's prospects for surviving. The role that globalization processes have played in creating the First & Third Worlds is also examined; specifically, it is stated that economic resources are being removed from First & Third World nations, thus expanding the existing underclass & expediting the creation of an international economic elite. Third World nations are therefore encouraged to withdraw from the global, corporation-dominated economy to facilitate their economic growth. Multiple recommendations for forging a better future for the entire globe are offered, eg, reducing consumption of energy & material resources. J. W. Parker
No one would, probably, doubt that Muslim civilization is facing a serious crisis since the 18th century. It first resulted in political chaos and ultimately colonization of Muslim lands by Western powers. Later, Muslim civilization faced serious cultural and intellectual onslaught from the West which intensified and deepened the crisis. Though the period of Western colonization ostensibly came to an end in the middle of the 20th century, Muslim lands did not come out of the crisis. Despite some sincere efforts for Islamic revivalism, Muslim civilization has failed to respond to the modern crisis, particularly 9/11 incident has exposed the vulnerability of the Muslim world to Western political agenda, and its failure to respond effectively to Western civilizational challenges. The scholars are divided as to the cause of this crisis of the Muslim world and consequently, as to the measures to remedy the problem.Abdur Rehman Ibn Khaldun, a 13th century Muslim historian and intellectual, emerged at a time when the Muslim states in the Maghreb (North Africa) and Muslim Spain were passing through a phase of decline. His critical thoughts on the society (Al-Imran) and particularly his concept of social solidarity (Al-asabiyah), as propounded in his magnum opus, Maqaddimah (Prolegomena to History), can provide important insights into the present crisis of the Muslim Civilization. The present paper seeks to understand and explain this crisis with the help of the social analysis and critical ideas of Ibn Khaldun.
This volume brings together papers on Water Management in Ancient Civilizations. It envelops a great variety of ancient means to harvest, supply, distribute, and dispute water in all its forms. Contributions range in time period from the early means of water management in Mesopotamia and Egypt, to the Epochs of Hellenistic and Roman Eras, into medieval times and beyond. The fascinating momentum of ancient water management include not only the great solutions and applications that were already at hand thousands of years ago, but its implications and importance for present and future problems, since water is, was, and will continue to be the most precious resource for human wellbeing.
Religion and violence -- The Koran as myth -- The clash of interpretations -- On the Arab decline -- Civilization or extinction -- Enlightenment between high and low voltage -- The physics and metaphysics of nature -- Epilogue: religion and cosmopolitics -- Appendixes -- The veil unveiled: dialogue with Christian Jambet -- Obama in Cairo
Intro -- Contents -- Preface by the Authors, with Acknowledgements -- Preface by Giuseppe Tanzella Nitti -- Authors' Introduction -- 1: Technology in prehistory -- 1.1 A TECHNOLOGICAL ANIMAL -- 1.2 STONE IMPLEMENTS -- 1.3 THE COGNITIVE REVOLUTION -- 1.4 FIRE CONTROL -- 1.5 THE MESOLITHIC CRISIS -- 1.6 THE NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION -- 1.7 THE AGE OF METALS -- References -- 2: From prehistory to history -- 2.1 TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION -- 2.2 TECHNOLOGY AT THE BEGINNING OF HISTORY -- 2.3 SIMPLE MACHINES -- 2.4 CRAFTSMEN AND SLAVES -- 2.5 THE INVENTION OF MONEY -- References -- 3: Greek rationality -- 3.1 A UNIQUE PHENOMENON -- 3.2 HUMANS, GODS AND TECHNOLOGY -- 3.3 APPLIED RATIONALITY: THE ORIGINS OF MEDICINE -- 3.4 GREEK NATURAL PHILOSOPHY -- 3.5 HELLENISTIC SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGY -- 3.6 THE END OF HELLENISTIC SCIENCE -- 3.7 A HELLENISTIC INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION? -- References -- 4: From Abraham to Jesus: The Judeo-Christian rational horizon -- 4.1 IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE LOGOS... -- 4.2 THE RATIONAL GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT -- 4.3 JUDAISM AND CENTRIFUGAL THRUSTS -- 4.4 CIRCULAR TIME, THE MYTH OF THE AGES AND PROGRESS -- 4.5 THE CHRISTIAN DNA OF THE TECHNOLOGICAL WEST -- 4.6 THE TWO SOULS OF CHRISTIANITY -- References -- 5: The Roman world and the "broken history" -- 5.1 THE 'PILLARS OF HERACLES' OF ANCIENT TECHNOLOGY -- 5.2 MATTER, SLAVES AND MACHINES: A BLIND ALLEY -- 5.3 THE STRUCTURAL LIMITATION OF THE ROMAN ECONOMY -- 5.4 NOT JUST SHADOWS: IMPERIAL TECHNOLOGY -- 5.5 METALLURGY -- 5.6 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY -- 5.7 CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY -- 5.8 ENERGY PRODUCTION -- 5.9 AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES -- 5.10 MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION -- References -- 6: The Middle Ages: "Dark ages" or the dawn of technology? -- 6.1 THE INVENTION OF THE DARK AGES -- 6.2 FOUR COMMON MYTHS ABOUT THE EARLY MIDDLE AGES (476−1000).
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