Project Gutenberg
2013-11-02
Public domain in the USA.
388
Carpenter, Edward
1844
1929
Civilisation: Its Cause and Cure; and Other Essays
Civilization: Its Cause and Cure
Preface to complete edition -- Civilisation: its cause and cure -- Modern science: a criticism -- The science of the future: a forecast -- Defence of criminals: a criticism of morality -- Exfoliation: Lamarck versus Darwin -- Custom -- A rational and human science -- The new morality -- Appendix: being notes on some of the characteristics and customs of pre-civilised peoples.
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"Civilisation: Its Cause and Cure; and Other Essays" by Edward Carpenter is a critical examination of societal constructs written in the late 19th century. The work reflects on the state of civilization, suggesting it may be a disease that humanity must traverse, positing that civilizations have historically succumbed to various ailments and that true health may be rediscovered by returning to more primitive ways of living. Through essays that explore the nature of society, science, and morality, Carpenter argues for a new understanding of what constitutes human well-being. The opening of the volume presents a thought-provoking preface where Carpenter recalls the reception of his initial work, "Civilisation," which was delivered as a lecture to the Fabian Society. He suggests that civilization, once viewed as an ideal condition, has instead shown itself to be fraught with disease-like symptoms, including social discord and individualism, which detracts from the unity of human nature. Carpenter poignantly asserts that the physical and mental struggles of modern society indicate a need for re-evaluation and a potential reversion back to a state more closely aligned with nature, advocating for a deeper examination of personal and collective health as humanity moves forward. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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Reading ease score: 49.4 (College-level). Difficult to read.
en
Science
Evolution
Crime
Civilization
HM
Text
Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches
Category: Philosophy & Ethics
Category: Sociology
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