A Theory of Civilisation

by P Atkinson (11-Jul-20) Copyright© All Rights Reserved

Civilisation is the Blossoming then Shrivelling of human understanding

manifested as the rise then fall of a dominant society

expressed in a unique language and founded upon a unique religion.

A civilisation is the greatest achievement of humanity as it is the most powerful creature on the planet: its understanding, strength and senses are unlimited by biology so its potential for achievement is limitless, until it goes senile.

A civilisation has a life-span decided by the length of time it can maintain its religion, for this is the foundation of its understanding so must be passed from generation to generation. This process is not perfect so every new generation has a number of disbelievers who eventually become a majority, whereupon the shared understanding is lost and the society becomes senile. That is, common purpose is lost along with social order as the civilisation discards its traditions so changing from a disciplined citizenry into a mob. A process that corrupts its institutions and replaces science with superstition, so sinking the civilisation into chaos, delusion, poverty and impotence.

Hence the understanding blossoms when citizens revere a shared religion, so winning wealth, order, knowledge, security, clear identity and sensible purpose. But shrivells when citizens no longer revere a shared religion, so winning the opposite. A rise and fall revealed in its use of language, because the use of words is the exercise of understanding.

This theory is the result of the study of the changes overtaking the Australian community circa 2000, see: