INTRODUCTION
It is a triumph of mind over matter, of reason over instinct, and of the distinctly human over mankind's animal nature. These are what have made possible civilization, as well as culture, its constant and necessary companion. A thorough understanding of what civilization is requires knowledge of all the qualities that make up human nature and a full understanding of all historical developments. Since this is not possible, it is necessary to explain these terms by the use of definitions and descriptions.The first civilizations developed in regions where farmers grew enough food to feed themselves and others. The people who did not farm began to live in larger villages, which grew into cities. These people practiced arts and crafts that they could trade for food. They developed writing systems to keep track of trade. They started transportation networks to carry goods between farm and city. City people also created governments and laws. They developed advanced religious practices as well.
The earliest civilizations developed in river valleys because the land there was good for farming. The world's first civilization formed in Mesopotamia. This land was between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is now Iraq. People first started settling there in about 4500 BC. The world's second civilization developed along the Nile River in about 2925 BC. It is now known as ancient Egypt.
By about 2500 BC another ancient civilization had formed in the valley of the Indus River. This was located around what is now the border between India and Pakistan. Ancient Chinese civilization developed by about the 1700s BC around the Huang He, or Yellow River.
Since these beginnings many great civilizations have risen and fallen. The ancient Greeks and Romans built civilizations in Europe. The Maya, Aztec, and Inca formed civilizations in the Americas. African peoples developed civilizations centered on such cities as Aksum and Great Zimbabwe. Arabs created an Islamic civilization in the Middle East and North Africa.
Today most people in the world belong to a civilization. European and American civilization is often called Western civilization. African, Asian (or Eastern), and other civilizations are sometimes known as non-Western civilizations.
1. DEFINITION OF TERMS
a. Civilisation
The word civilization is based on the Latin civis, “inhabitant of a city.” Thus civilization, in its most essential meaning, is the ability of people to live together harmoniously in cities, in social groupings. As Howe, Helen and Howe, R. T. Stressed, “The term civilization basically means the level of development at which people live together peacefully in communities” (Howe & Helen 1988. 42). From this definition it would seem that certain insects, such as ants or bees, are also civilized. They live and work together in social groups. So do some microorganisms. But there is more to civilization, and that is what culture brings to it.
b. Ancient Civilization
Ancient civilization refers specifically to the first settled and stable communities that became the basis for later states, nations, and empires. So as the case may be, the study of ancient civilization is concerned with the earliest segments of the much broader subject called ancient history. As P. J. Lackin describes that, “The span of ancient history began with the invention of writing in about 3100 BC and lasted for more than 35 centuries” (Lackin 1983, 166). That is true because mankind existed long before the written word, but writing made the keeping of a historical record possible
c. Western Civilisation
The term “Western Civilisation” is used very broadly to refer to a development or heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and technologies. According to Adams Peter, “Roots of the Western civilization may be traced back to 9000 BC, when the first great cultures grew out of agricultural cores in southwest Asia, China, India, Mexico, and Peru”. (Adams 1966, 472)
2. MERITS OF WESTERN CIVILISATION
a. The Use of Electronic Media
The internet and modern telecommunications has changed social networks and socialization greatly. It has opened up our ability to communicate over vast distances at near light speed. We now have many more ways in which to communicate in synchronous time with people at distances. Our asynchronous communication (like message boards and social networking) can now involve many more people than with non-electronic media.
b. Introduction of On-line Games
Computer games are indisputably popular among teenagers. Because of their widespread use, many studies provide data on the short- and long-term effects of regularly playing computer games. Some studies conclude there is a link between playing violent video games and tendencies towards violent behaviour. Increasingly, the social element to playing computer games affects how teenagers interact with peers. Playing computer games has also been shown to improve problem-solving skills and increase adeptness at using technology overall. But an addictive aspect to many games suggests that playing in moderation is critical.
Related Studies
Related Studies
c. Technology and other Technical Devices
Throughout history, technological innovations have helped humankind improve their standards of living, beginning with the simple invention of bone tools of prehistoric times, continuing on to and beyond modern air conditioners, automobiles, and super computers. Nowadays, when the rapidness of development and research is so impressive, it is easy to think about the advantages of modern technology.
Modern technology has solved many problems that people face and play an important role in the development of many countries. Modern technologies create many kinds of products - computers, cloning technology, and video games etc.
Technology today has made life better and quicker in our modern society, people can't see themselves without computers, cell phones, voice mail...etc... As we look at technologies, questions are raised. The Technological progress makes our society more convenient and safe.
d. Exchange Traded Derivatives.
The world’s largest financial market today is therefore without doubt the derivative market. Derivatives have come into existence because nearly every business has its risks. Derivatives are used to protect against key-business risks which are beyond our control, such as movements in the markets of commodities and foreign exchange. Those who use derivatives as a way of managing risk are called hedgers. The speculators have no interest in the underlying itself, but for the possibility of a reward they are willing to accept a certain level of risk. Without the speculators the derivatives markets would not function. The third group of players in this market is the arbitragers. These people look for miss-pricing and market mistakes, this give them a risk-free profit, a situation that gets the mistakes to disappear before becoming too large. After a number of huge derivative losses in the mid-nineties, a lot of criticism was pointing at the derivative trading
e. The need of Electronic Media
One of the notable changes in our social environment in the 20th and 21st centuries has been the saturation of our culture and daily lives by the mass media. In this new environment radio, television, movies, videos, video games, cell phones, and computer networks have assumed central roles in our children’s daily lives. For better or worse the mass media are having an enormous impact on our children’s values, beliefs, and behaviours. Unfortunately, the consequence of one particular common element of the electronic mass media has a particularly detrimental effect on children’s well being. Research evidence has accumulated over the past half-century that exposure to violence on television, movies, and most recently in video games increases the risk of violent behaviour on the viewer’s part just as growing up in an environment filled with real violence increases the risk of violent behaviour.
f. The enjoinments in city life
Big city is where you can see many vehicles, many skyscrapers, and many people with a hurry pace of life. That place can fascinate us very much due to its light and luxury. Nowadays, more and more people want to live there because they see many advantages. Indeed, in a big city, people can have the best chances to work as well as can enjoy the best service and entertainment.
In a big city, people can take the chances to study and work best. There are many good Universities for u to choose in a big city. There you can express your ability to study what you like. Moreover, when you graduate, you also find it easier to find chances to get a good job with good salary, that is quite difficult in small cities or country sides; because there concentrates many big companies and groups. Hence, many graduate students choose big cities to live and work. In short, it is where you can take advantages of yourself.
3. DISADVANTAGES OF WESTERN CIVILISATION
a. City Lives
Many people can argue that living in a big city makes them tired with noise and dash. They like the slow pace of life in a countryside. But I think that you can live there for a long time because the young always like to enjoy new things and want to have much money, which is very difficult to do in countryside. However, when you get older, especially when you retire, countryside will be the best choice to live.
In summary, living in a big city has many disadvantages. However, you have to try your best to overcome all difficulties such as hard competition in workplace or polluted environment.
b. Addiction to modern Technologies
Through western civilisation we got modern technologies that have destroyed the use of traditional or natural substances today. The use of cell phone has made students of our age to overlook the issue of writing letters. Using of modern technologies to produce many things had involved the use of chemicals even in some foods we eat. Some drugs we take or purchased with high amount of money were made from some natural substances we see around us, but because of technology, we do see those natural things as inferior because it has not passed through mechanical stages.
c. Computer Games
Computer games though very popular but of high decisive to teenagers, because of their various commitments to it, some internet games are so violent therefore equipping the player to be so. Computer games have made some children addicted to the internet to the extent that they have become useless to the core.
d. Internet and Modern Telecommunication
Internet and modern telecommunication have enough disadvantages to compare with their advantages. In other words, internet and modern telecommunication has introduced a lot of theft and piracy to the contemporary people. They have opened up the ability of men to steal and manipulate to some unguarded websites and had introduced the world into weakness, making some students to be lazy rather relying on already-made papers of scholars on net.
4. ADVANTAGES OF ANCIENT CIVILISATION
a. Agriculture—The Basis of Civilization
The single, decisive factor that made it possible for mankind to settle in permanent communities was agriculture. After farming was developed in the Middle East in about 6500 BC, people living in tribes or family units did not have to be on the move continually searching for food or herding their animals. Once people could control the production of food and be assured of a reliable annual supply of it, their lives changed completely.
People began to found permanent communities in fertile river valleys. Settlers learned to use the water supply to irrigate the land. Being settled in one place made it possible to domesticate animals in order to provide other sources of food and clothing.
Farming was a revolutionary discovery. It not only made settlements possible—and ultimately the building of cities—but it also made available a reliable food supply. With more food available, more people could be fed. Populations therefore increased. The growing number of people available for more kinds of work led to the development of more complex social structures. With a food surplus, a community could support a variety of workers who were not farmers.
Farming the world over has always relied upon a dependable water supply. For the earliest societies this meant rivers and streams or regular rainfall. The first great civilizations grew up along rivers. Later communities were able to develop by taking advantage of the rainy seasons.
All of the ancient civilizations probably developed in much the same way, in spite of regional and climatic differences. As villages grew, the accumulation of more numerous and substantial goods became possible. Heavier pottery replaced animal-skin gourds as containers for food and liquids. Cloth could be woven from wool and flax. Permanent structures made of wood, brick, and stone could be erected.
b. The Science of Mathematics – Product of Agriculture
The science of mathematics was an early outgrowth of agriculture. People studied the movements of the moon, sun, and planets to calculate seasons. In so doing they created the first calendars. With a calendar it was possible to calculate the arrival of each growing season. Measurement of land areas was necessary if property was to be divided accurately. Measurements of amounts—for example, of seeds or grains—were also a factor in farming and housekeeping. Later measures of value as commodity and money exchange became common.
c. Development of Ancient writing system
The use of various ways of measuring led naturally to record keeping, and for this some form of writing was necessary. The earliest civilizations all seem to have used picture-writing—pictures representing both sounds and objects to the reader. The best known of the ancient writing systems is probably Egyptian hieroglyphics, a term meaning “sacred carvings,” since many of the earliest writings were inscribed on stone.
d. Early Irrigation System
These early irrigation systems were more fully developed by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia, who drained marshes and dug canals, dikes, and ditches. The need for cooperation on these large irrigation projects led to the growth of government and law. The Sumerians are thus credited with forming the earliest of the ancient civilizations.
The land of the Sumerians was called Sumer (Shinar in the Bible). Their origins are shrouded in the past. They were not Semites, like most of the peoples of the region; they spoke a language unrelated to other known tongues. They may have come to southern Mesopotamia from Persia before 4000 BC.
e. Development of Metalworking, wheeled carts, and Potter’s wheels
The Sumerians contributed to the development of metalworking, wheeled carts, and potter's wheels. They may have invented the first form of writing. They engraved pictures on clay tablets in a form of writing known as cuneiform (wedge-shaped). The tablets were used to keep the accounts of the temple food storehouses. By about 2500 BC these picture-signs were being refined into an alphabet.
The Sumerians developed the first calendar, which they adjusted to the phases of the moon. The lunar calendar was adopted by the Semites, Egyptians, and Greeks. An increase in trade between Sumerian cities and between Sumeria and other, more distant regions led to the growth of a merchant class.
The Babylonians made distinct contributions to the growth of civilization. They added to the knowledge of astronomy, advanced the knowledge of mathematics, and built the first great capital city, Babylon. The Babylonian King Hammurabi set forth the Code of Hammurabi in about 1800 BC. (This was the most complete compilation of Babylonian law and one of the first great law codes in the world).
5. DISADVANTAGES OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATION
According to David Peter Silverman, “Ancient Civilization does not maintain their solid stand when the western civilisation was introduced and that making the ancient civilization which is the best type of civilization to lose its taste” (Silverman, 2009. 87)
REFERENCE LIST
Adams, Peter J. 1987. Mediterranean World Civilizations:-Behind the Bar. Great Britain: Cambridge University Press
David Peter Silverman 2009. Contributions and Legacy of Ancient Civilization. United Kingdom: Zonach Publications
Howe, Helen and Howe, R.T. 1988. The Ancient World. London: Longman Publication Company.
Larkin, Peter .J. 1983. The Ancient World. United States of America: Dufour Publishing international, 1983).
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. – Civilization-Ancient Egypt.
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