|
If civilizations are analogous to plant or animal life, a society in a later generation could not advance much beyond its parent. Locked into this model, historians could not admit that contemporary society appears to be quite different than societies were in the past. Human culture seems obviously to be advancing toward new and better forms of knowledge, organization, and material equipment. We have airplanes, automobiles, and television sets while our remote ancestors had suits of armor, shields, and spears. According to Toynbee, our western Christian civilization has existed for nearly 1,400 years. Begun at some time during the 6th century A.D., it is still going strong. To suppose, however, that Europeans and Americans in the late 20th century belong to the same civilization as the one which existed in the time of Charlemagne taxes belief. Then, warrior kings and Popes ruled society; today, kids watch Saturday-morning cartoons on television. While Christianity is an element connecting the two cultures, many other influences also touch modern life.
|