Defining civilization: basic concepts, categories and differences from other societies

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Defining civilization: basic concepts, categories and differences from other societies
Defining civilization: basic concepts, categories and differences from other societies

Video: Defining civilization: basic concepts, categories and differences from other societies

Video: Defining civilization: basic concepts, categories and differences from other societies
Video: What Is A Civilization? | Class 6 - History | Learn With BYJU'S 2024, May
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The definition of civilization appeared quite a long time ago, back in the era of antiquity. At that time, it was used to distinguish normal people from barbarians. It means the level of development of a particular society, country or small settlement. The key moment in the development of civilization was the law. It could not be violated by any member of society, regardless of his well-being, the number of servants and other parameters that determine a person in abundance or his absence. That is, in a sense, with the help of this concept, people became equal to each other, they were equally responsible for certain misconduct.

definition of civilization
definition of civilization

Virtue - the founders of the first legislation. The main step towards a civilized society

Since the definition of civilization appeared, as mentioned above, the division of people into different types began. The first, the barbarians, obeyed exclusively their leader. It could be a king, a leader, or an ordinary person with leadership qualities. For them there was no honor, no rules. Everything they did could be punishedonly the leader. In fact, they had complete freedom, which naturally led to anarchy. The second, civilized people, were not subject to kings, but to the law. The first such representatives were the Greeks. They possessed a set of qualities that could be attributed to virtues. That is, they had dignity, patriotism and justice.

civilization definition concept
civilization definition concept

Categories of civilization

It should be noted that civilization is a definition, the concepts of which are usually divided into several separate categories:

  1. Culture. It is a system that deals with the distribution and storage of material and spiritual values. These can be languages, scripts, traditions, jewelry, elements of national life and the like.
  2. Ideology. The general definition of civilization, in principle, does not include this category, since it is focused on a particular society. That is, in a certain country you can observe your mentality, religion or thinking. This will be the ideology.
  3. Politics. In any civilized society, there must be people who will ensure that the laws are strictly observed. They are also responsible for ensuring that the perpetrators of troubles and violators of the rules are punished. These people are politicians, and without them the existence of civilization may simply be impossible.
  4. Economy. It is also an integral part, without which the definition of civilization is not possible. To develop our culture andideology, financial resources are required. And the art of economic management fully helps in this.
concept of local civilization
concept of local civilization

Local civilization

It is worth adding that the concept of a local civilization is slightly different from the generalized meaning of this word. It is focused on only one society, country or settlement. Even in one state there can be several cities that will have different categories of civilization. Some, for example, consider it important to build factories and engage in industry, others will invest in agriculture.

No one has yet been able to accurately determine who takes the greatest part in the formation of a civilized society. Some argue that this is done by creative minorities. The main part of the inhabitants only follows them. If you change the creator, then the civilized system will also change. Others suggest that each individual individually builds a civilization. At the very least, if many people hold a second opinion, then all of the above categories will move more rapidly towards the ideal.

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