Fearing a decline of modern Western civilisation? What are the biggest threats?
The versions of Western civilisations declined and the fell with dramatic speed many times before in history. We know Western civilisation is farm from flawless with its share of historical misdeeds, the brutality of imperialism and the banality of consumer society and yet it offers the best available set of economic, social and political institutions yet.
What are the foundational texts of Western civilisation that can bolster our belief in the almost boundless power of the free human being? At its core, a civilisation is the texts taught in its schools? How good are we at teaching it?
I've written some hubs on this subject recently. I believe we're about to go through a transition period in the western world. Capitalism is starting to fail and we need to massively change our culture if we're to sustain the growing global population. The next 12-24 months are going to be very interesting because something has to change. The uprisings in the east are a prime example of this.
Science and mathematics education has been declining in the US for some time. I had an epiphany about this many years ago, when I was in graduate school at Oregon State University. In the electrochemistry class that I took, the professor and I were the only US citizens. There was one fellow from Brazil. Everyone else was from the Peoples Republic of China!
The Chinese take science and mathematics education very seriously. We in the US do not. One apparent exception is Computer Science, which is more of an engineering discipline than a scientific one. And America is Number 1 in this area.
To a large extent, our scientific and technological success is buoyed up by the Brain Drain from developing countries. And I don't know how sustainable that is.
A century from now, the US could be a Banana Republic, whose economy is based upon IT, entertainment, Walmart, agriculture, and coal exports. (Notwithstanding Australia's considerable coal exports, we're the Saudi Arabia of coal reserves.)
Arguably, the advancement of scientific knowledge has been the single greatest civilizing influence in the Western world. (Yes, technology has a dark side, as well.) It's ironic that the Chinese could very well resume their ancient role as the scientific innovators of the world.
by lbtrader 14 years ago
What are the seven biggest scientific threats to humanity and planet earth?
by Kathryn L Hill 4 years ago
The biggest threat to our freedom is taxation. Yet the democrats adore Elizabeth Warren. They too will be taxed ... - won't they?So, how come they think SHE has the answer?and don't fear a loss of freedom under the principals being promoted by Warren et al?
by Ken Burgess 2 years ago
With the hope of gathering opinions and ideas for an article on this issue, I begin with the following observations:What I want to consider, is the progressive ideas of Western Civilization vs the general depopulation found in advancing nations like China and India.Does the decrease in childbirth...
by nightwork4 10 years ago
Do you give science the credit for the decline of religion?religion has been on the decline for decades, do you think science is the main reason or what is your opinion for the decline.
by Sundeep Kataria 10 years ago
What are the 3 biggest threats to peace on earth now?
by kgc-66 12 years ago
What is the biggest contributor to the decline of our society?What is the biggest contributor to the decline of our society - a lack of accountability or a lack of money? What is the reasoning for your choice?
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