Hermione Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> C. Loggy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > How can these ruins be classified as the
> remains
> > of an ancient civilization when they've found
> no
> > writing. Isn't that a prerequisite for
> > civilization? Am I misunderstanding
> something
> > here?
>
> Well: at one time in the late 1960), it was
> suggested (by Kuhn) that, to meet the criteria of
> "civilization", there should be evidence of at
> least two of the following three: living together
> in large numbers; monumental construction; and
> writing. So it would be possible to be a
> civilization even if writing had not evolved.
>
> However, as far as I can make out (from Doug's and
> Bernard's posts in particular), the general
> feeling seems to be that Kuhn's theory is now
> outdated; other criteria are now being discussed.
> (And, as Doug mentioned, there is also the
> semantic problem: "civilized" as in "civilized
> behaviour" is not necessarily the same thing as
> "civilization".)
>
> Regards,
>
> Hermione
wouldnt it be easier to just label it a Society. and be done with it. all the semantic debating just makes it harder to move forward in research when a basic definition can not even be established.
civilization, civilisation
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations); "the people slowly progressed from barbarism to civilization
as per:
[
www.wordreference.com]
or wordnet ( just heads up is wikpedia) [
en.wikipedia.org]
1. civilization, civilisation -- (a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations); "the people slowly progressed from barbarism to civilization")
2. civilization, civilisation -- (the social process whereby societies achieve civilization)
3. culture, civilization, civilisation -- (a particular society at a particular time and place; "early Mayan civilization")
4. refinement, civilization, civilisation -- (the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste; "a man of intellectual refinement"; "he is remembered for his generosity and civilization")