The Concept of Rise and Fall of Civilization

This is an outline of what I learned about civilization from a class by Dr. Sabet.

First of all, civilization is a human phenomenon. There is no civilization in animal kingdom. Since our spiritual nature distinguishes us from animals, so it follows that civilization is basically an extension of human spirit.

Here are some characteristics about civilization:

1. Is a social phenomenon, in the sense that civilization doesn’t exist in isolation, outside of history or social relationships. It cannot exist with one individual on an island. It requires relationships.
2. Is not static. It is a dynamic, moving and changing phenomenon.
3. Can’t be reduced to its functioning components or parts. It is a combination, synthesis or integration of all processes, forces and social institutions.
4. Is progressive or has a direction.

Civilization rise and fall, disintegration and integration occur. The question has been asked in history, sociology and social science: Is there a correlation between behavior and civilization? If such correlation exists, then the dynamics of the declining of civilization can be the main source of identifying diseases of immoral behaviors.

Here is a model proposed for the formation of civilization (see the diagram with three concentric circles below).



According to the model, a civilization starts with a set of moral values as its core. When people begin to believe in these core moral values and try to translate them into their daily life, then the society will see a pattern of behaviors slowly taking shape. In turn, this totality of behaviors will guide us on how to construct our material development and environmental usage.

When the core of the model becomes corrupted, then there is an impact on behaviors. There is, furthermore, an impact on nature and the environment.

To end this note, I’d like to include a paragraph from the same book “Revelation and Social Reality”:

…Every Manifestation of God has infused the earth with a spirit that disrupts the old order, transforms individuals, and ultimately results in the unfoldment of a new civilization.