What is "Western Civilization"?
Defining Western civilization and classical education
“Western civilization” is often brought up in textbooks and on social media. It occurs to me that we should define what it is, to prevent misunderstandings and open better avenues of discussion.
In a nutshell, Western civilization refers broadly to an inherited set of cultural norms stemming from early Mediterranean and Mesopotamian civilizations, solidifying under the wide-ranging Roman Empire. A common heritage is a uniting factor which makes intercultural communication more efficient, among other benefits.
What is “the West”?
“The West” originated as a simple geographic determinant for Europe, primarily its Mediterranean regions which advanced more quickly than other areas of Europe. Everything east of Europe and the Caucuses was “The East” including the Near East (Western Asia) and Far East (China, Japan, etc.) The Americas weren’t known at the time. There is disagreement over an exact definition, especially now that “West” refers to a global culture instead of pure geography. Some people use it as a stand-in for “Europe and those of European descent” but that involves genetics.
Western civilization is a blend of ancient Greek culture, the Roman Empire, Medieval Christianity, and several smaller influences (ranging from prehistoric times to the present day). This includes ethical and philosophical views, legal systems, concepts of democracy and individual liberty, Christian beliefs, scientific innovation, technological progress, artistic styles, architectural standards, language and alphabet, and more. Despite regional differences (such as national cuisines or sports) Western cultures all retain enough similarities to be grouped under the same umbrella. They use the same foundational elements, like branches of a family tree, or literary and musical subgenres.
Greece is often called “the birthplace of Western civilization.” The beginning can be placed around 800-700 BC with the first Olympic games, Homer, and Hesiod. Art, culture, science, and philosophy all flourished in ancient Mediterranean civilizations, especially under “Classical Greece” (around 500 BC to 323 BC). The foundations for all of modern Western civilization were laid before the death of Alexander the Great.
The Roman Empire is arguably where the most consolidation and evolution occurred. The Roman Republic was established in 509 BC and the first Roman Emperor began his reign in 27 BC. At its height, the empire controlled most of Europe and the Near East, with especially heavy integration with Greece. Although it fell, there are many arguments over when. Late Rome also brought in Germanic tribes and Christianity, both of which became major influences.
By some accounts, the empire lasted until 1452 AD (fall of the Byzantine Empire) or 1806 AD (dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire). Art movements like the Carolingian Renaissance (800-900), European Renaissance (1300-1600) and Neoclassicism (1750-1850) aided repeated revivals of ancient Greco-Roman ideals.
Some people view the United States of America as a new Roman Empire, or its successor, given the Roman influence upon America’s founding, and its current cultural and military influence upon the world. It’s no secret that our Founding Fathers drew upon the rich heritage of Western history to create this nation. Doomers say we’re on the precipice of collapse and call for the change or abolishment of many traditions, lest we follow the Roman Empire into oblivion, despite our differences. It isn’t our traditions that are the cause of our problems, though—it’s the desperate and misguided attempts to escape from them, all for the sake of “progress.”
“The West” is basically every thought and invention that contributed to European civilization and the civilizations which spawned from it.
What is “civilization”?
Civilization is simply defined as a high level of societal organization with advanced culture, science, government, and industry. Chimpanzees for example, despite a level of sophistication and intelligence, don’t have civilization—they don’t build cities, trade routes, or windmills, nor do they have oil paintings or kings. They’re a primitive species still driven primarily by base instinct.
The 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica has an interesting in-depth take: “...the metamorphosis from beast-like savage to cultured civilian may be proximally explained (certain potentialities and attributes of the species being taken for granted) as the result of accumulated changes that found their initial impulses in a half-dozen or so of practical inventions.” This includes the invention of speech and writing, fire and cooking, bow and arrow, pottery, and domestication of animals. This led to roads, cities, greater social and political organization, literature, science, and beyond: “...man at the highest stages of culture will be, even as was the savage, a seeker after the greatest attainable degree of comfort.for the least necessary expenditure of energy. The pursuit of this ideal has been from first to last the ultimate impelling force in nature urging man forward.“
Of education, it says: “Many definitions have been given of the word ‘education,’ but underlying them all is the conception that it denotes an attempt on the part of the adult members of a human society to shape the development of the coming generation in accordance with its own ideals of life… we may say with Plato that the aim of education is ‘to develop in the body and in the soul all the beauty and all the perfection of which they are capable,’ but this leaves quite undecided the nature and form of that beauty and perfection… change in culture ideals means change in the specific form of the goal of education, and consequently the paths of educative effort need readjustment.”
Why is Western civilization important?
Consider the above—Western civilization is over 2,500 years of cumulative knowledge and spirit. We’ve inherited a vast array of useful traditions, values, and ideas, and we’re the legacy of those who came before us. We have access to many of the greatest minds of every generation, stretching back to the dawn of humanity. Why wouldn’t that be important?
This applies to non-Western civilizations as well, which have their own unique viewpoints and cultures. Willingly erasing your brightest minds from your past is a slow-motion suicide. Maintaining cultural diversity around the globe is a way for each culture to honor the accomplishments of those who paved the way for new generations to exist. I focus more on Western civilization because that’s what I’m most familiar with as a Westerner.
It’s especially important in contemporary times, which are riddled with garbage philosophies like deconstructivism and postmodernism. To them, we can throw away values, ethical systems, culture—the past doesn’t matter—these are wasteful and nihilistic viewpoints. You can’t know who you are without knowing where you’ve been.
Vocal movements demand the destruction of Western civilization. Go on any social media platform and it doesn’t take long to find someone saying an aspect of our culture needs to be “dismantled” or obliterated. It’s about power and control for them. But let’s say activists have a point, and are successful–what would they replace our shared heritage with? Clones of the failed “mostly peaceful” CHOP/CHAZ (Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone)?
Those who demand an end to Western civilization don’t have good alternatives. And as they push their demands further and further, more cracks develop in the fabric of societal bonds. Political division, corporate corruption, propaganda, sexual deviancy, obesity rates, suicide rates, drug abuse, crime rates, income disparities, civil unrest, and racial tensions are all rising, as food quality and mental health decrease. Almost a quarter of American adults now report having mental illness. If activists were really making society a better place, surely we would’ve seen results by now. Instead, rather “mysteriously,” increases in activism correlate with further societal breakdown.
Modern times are responsible for great innovations—we’ve eliminated many common diseases and put men on the moon—but progress shouldn’t come at the cost of our collective spirit.
Fortunately, some people recognize that society isn’t in an ideal position these days. Greater interest in homeschooling and homesteading are among the most obvious indicators of this.
Western civilization’s link with the growing “classical education” movement
Classical education refers to pre-industrial methods of pursuing knowledge while building the foundation of what makes for virtuous citizens. There’s slight disagreement over which approach is “best” yet the overall goal is always the same. Children are steered toward development of self-discipline, intellectual curiosity, wisdom, appreciation for truth and beauty, perseverance, generosity, courage, respect, and a flexibility which allows them to tackle any challenge. Everyone is expected to read and understand the great works which helped form Western civilization—Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Aeschylus, Euclid, Archimedes, Aquinas, Alighieri, Shakespeare, and many others. Different subjects, authors, and time periods are integrated instead of each studied in a vacuum.
“The aim of liberal education is human excellence… For this reason it is the education of free men.” —Robert M. Hutchins
Modern education, by contrast, emphasizes test-taking while teaching to the lowest common denominator. It’s meant to prepare children for a lifetime of cubicle or factory work. Modern schools are often compared to prisons, especially as the alleged quality of that education deteriorates. Read old letters and it’s obvious that the average person 300 years ago was more eloquent and educated than the average person today. And as advertising and propaganda grow more sophisticated and optimized, more people fall for falsehoods.
Failed experiments like Common Core have repeatedly proven inferior to older styles of education—which is how students learned things for most of human history. Classical schools don’t just outperform “normal” schools, they blow them out of the water, even on standardized tests. Homeschooled children likewise do well; the negative stereotypes are unfounded.
Some works are timeless, proving themselves over the centuries to be a valuable part of the human experience. It’s been 6,000 years since the first cities were founded. We’ve inherited the works of the greatest minds in history. Isn’t it logical to prioritize learning from our shared heritage? How to think and why is more important than learning how to make text bold in Microsoft Word. Technology is easy to learn and rapidly evolves. Virtue and responsibility, less so.
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.” —Benjamin Franklin
The Western canon is a glimpse into the cumulative wisdom of humanity. We shouldn’t neglect the past as we strive toward an ever-brighter future. Without a proper foundation, our society will crumble into chaos and become mere dust.
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This was excellent Apollo
Great post just in time for the morning coffee! Excited to read it!