How odd it is that the paradoxical creature called Man ever acts to destroy himself at the very point when one would expect him to burst into a bloom of a sublime civilisation. Wherever we look, advanced civilisations bring themselves down. China, India, Egypt, Persia, Greece, Byzantium, Rome. It is as if we can take only so much civilised life ; then, if we take just one more step, we are overwhelmed by the desire to destroy ourselves – as if the goodness is just too good to be true ; too good to be allowed to live.
Of course, the details of the fall of each of those great civilisations differ ; but that leads us to conclude that there must be some general principle at work. Perhaps a close inspection of each of them is needed ; and also a close inspection of our own rise and fall. And we would be wise to assume that we shall indeed fall.
Are there signs that our civilisation is falling? Do we see writings and deeds that indicate it? Do our own thoughts show it?
The rise of Christendom, especially in Northern Europe was spectacular. Just eighteen-hundred years ago we were brutal. Within four-hundred years we were on the path to civilisation. We may see that by examining the writings and the arts of those times. The rise continued, with many fits, starts and relapses, right up until the early nineteenth century. Then we peaked. The best – in science, writing, poetry, painting, sculpture, music and singing – was all but over. We had ceased to produce inspired architecture. The aristocracy had ceased to be of the best. The age of the industrialist had arrived, and these men copied the achievements of their predecessors and cheapened them, making unimagineable fortunes in the process.
By the late twentieth century, almost all art was banal (at very best) and otherwise utterly vulgar. Science consisted of footnotes to the great, and was, itself, subordinated to manufacturing. All was done in the name of money and profit. Today, you cannot see a reference to a work of art without its price being highlighted. Even our great historic buildings have their value reckoned only in terms of cash and, perhaps, utility.
Possibly the last straw for our civilisation was burned in this late period. For now, such is our love of cash, that we have exported the most profitable of our business – because foreign labour is cheaper. And we are left with the sterile occupation of simply managing other people’s money as our most edifying industry – but without the energy and art of Florence. It is a travesty of all that our ancestors struggled to achieve.
Is our civilisation in decline? I doubt if this generation knows how to answer such a question.
Jamie
This comes with a smile.
We are, I think, too old or perhaps we can say old enough not to have to worry too much. The older I get the happier I am that my life stretches out behind me. The World has always gone through cycle after cycle. Then one leads, then another.
It will just repeat the process over and over. I shall meantime enjoy my twilight times with some good memories. Nostalgia is such a lovely word; have lots of it with me, please; for us the worst is over.
IkeJ
Hello, Ike,
How right you are! The worst is over. Nobody listens to us. We have no responsibilities! Let the next generation take the cares!
Ah, if only my head and my heart could agree on that! You see, to me the passing generations are the river of life and, if you look in a certain way, you can see all of the glorious past right in front of you – and that uncertain future running just as serenely into a hazy, sunny distance – as long as you ignore that fork.
I trust all is well with you.
Jamie.
Jamie
We have just started another lousy, cold, wet winter day in the middle of what should be high spring and I read your Post again.
It suddenly occurred to me that from here I am going to ‘my Father’s Home’ after this.
I am happy about ithat.
Ike