This edition had all images removed.
Uniform Title: Verfall und wiederaufbau der kultur. English
Title: The decay and the restoration of civilization : The philosophy of civilization, part 1
Original Publication: London: A. & C. Black, Ltd., 1923.
Series Title: Dale memorial lectures, 1922 [I]
Credits: Actonian Press
Summary: “The Decay and the Restoration of Civilization: The Philosophy of Civilization” by Albert Schweitzer is a philosophical treatise written in the early 20th century. The work examines the crisis facing modern society, arguing that civilization has become hollowed out by a neglect of ethical foundations and an overemphasis on material, historical, and technical progress. Schweitzer’s central concern appears to be how genuine civilization is fundamentally rooted in ethics, and he contends that only by re-establishing robust ethical principles can society restore meaning and hope to both individuals and nations. The opening of this treatise sets forth Schweitzer’s perspective that civilization is in deep crisis, not merely due to recent catastrophes like war, but because of a long-standing neglect of foundational ethical thinking. He critiques modern philosophy for abandoning its role as the guide to civilization's development, instead becoming scholastic, fragmented, and disconnected from pressing moral questions. Schweitzer traces how historical, economic, and organizational changes have diminished individual freedom, self-reflection, and humanity, leading to over-specialization, loss of independent moral judgment, and the subjugation of individual personality to mass opinion and institutional structures. He insists that true civilization demands personal ethics, genuine spirituality, and individual transformation, arguing that without these, progress in institutions and material domains is empty or even destructive. The first chapters lay the groundwork for his central thesis: civilization’s restoration hinges on a revival of thoughtful, ethical commitment at both the individual and collective levels. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading Level: Reading ease score: 51.7 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
Author: Schweitzer, Albert, 1875-1965
Translator: Campion, C. T. (Charles Thomas), 1861-1938
EBook No.: 75958
Published: Apr 25, 2025
Downloads: 251
Language: English
Subject: Civilization -- History
LoCC: History: History of civilization
Category: Text
Rights: Public domain in the USA.
This edition has images.
Uniform Title: Verfall und wiederaufbau der kultur. English
Title: The decay and the restoration of civilization : The philosophy of civilization, part 1
Original Publication: London: A. & C. Black, Ltd., 1923.
Series Title: Dale memorial lectures, 1922 [I]
Credits: Actonian Press
Summary: “The Decay and the Restoration of Civilization: The Philosophy of Civilization” by Albert Schweitzer is a philosophical treatise written in the early 20th century. The work examines the crisis facing modern society, arguing that civilization has become hollowed out by a neglect of ethical foundations and an overemphasis on material, historical, and technical progress. Schweitzer’s central concern appears to be how genuine civilization is fundamentally rooted in ethics, and he contends that only by re-establishing robust ethical principles can society restore meaning and hope to both individuals and nations. The opening of this treatise sets forth Schweitzer’s perspective that civilization is in deep crisis, not merely due to recent catastrophes like war, but because of a long-standing neglect of foundational ethical thinking. He critiques modern philosophy for abandoning its role as the guide to civilization's development, instead becoming scholastic, fragmented, and disconnected from pressing moral questions. Schweitzer traces how historical, economic, and organizational changes have diminished individual freedom, self-reflection, and humanity, leading to over-specialization, loss of independent moral judgment, and the subjugation of individual personality to mass opinion and institutional structures. He insists that true civilization demands personal ethics, genuine spirituality, and individual transformation, arguing that without these, progress in institutions and material domains is empty or even destructive. The first chapters lay the groundwork for his central thesis: civilization’s restoration hinges on a revival of thoughtful, ethical commitment at both the individual and collective levels. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading Level: Reading ease score: 51.7 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
Author: Schweitzer, Albert, 1875-1965
Translator: Campion, C. T. (Charles Thomas), 1861-1938
EBook No.: 75958
Published: Apr 25, 2025
Downloads: 251
Language: English
Subject: Civilization -- History
LoCC: History: History of civilization
Category: Text
Rights: Public domain in the USA.