"4 Cycles of Civilization"

[burek]

I found this on another forum...

"It starts in the ashes of war, and chaos. A new civilization is begun, with people living in relative freedom, and peace, and religion/faith/morality are held to be a fundamental part of reality. The elite at this time are the "Priests."

The next cycle consists of a consolidation of power - to achieve more social stability, and to strengthen the structures of that civilization. The elite at this time are the "Kings."

The 3rd cycle is the cycle of reason and intellect. This is where great progress and achievements in science and other areas are seen. But at the same time, the importance of religion/morality are pushed aside, and replaced by the new "god" of reason. The improvement of "Self" is the end goal of most endeavors. And the stage is set for the final stage of greed. The elite now are probably the "Intellectuals."

This final stage is represented by rule by the "Acquisitors," or those who have the most wealth and money. They are now the elite. Materialism is now the reigning "god." Complacency (due to generations of living affluently) and amorality are what comprise the moral fiber of the people. They have forgotten the power of human nature, thinking it can be bought, molded, or changed.

But then human nature finally crashes the party, and usually in a violent way. If things go well, those who are left after the collapse will return to the basics from which their civilization sprung.."

What stage would you put America in? I think it is approaching the final stage

 

[achiral]

when has this happened before

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I have to read the Wheel of Time series again to be sure.

 

[RU482]

I feel like I'd need to change my avatar to post here

 

[bigredguy]

Just look at the dinosaurs, invented the computer and then BAM all dead in 65 million years.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: burek
I found this on another forum...

"It starts in the ashes of war, and chaos. A new civilization is begun, with people living in relative freedom, and peace, and religion/faith/morality are held to be a fundamental part of reality. The elite at this time are the "Priests."

The next cycle consists of a consolidation of power - to achieve more social stability, and to strengthen the structures of that civilization. The elite at this time are the "Kings."

The 3rd cycle is the cycle of reason and intellect. This is where great progress and achievements in science and other areas are seen. But at the same time, the importance of religion/morality are pushed aside, and replaced by the new "god" of reason. The improvement of "Self" is the end goal of most endeavors. And the stage is set for the final stage of greed. The elite now are probably the "Intellectuals."

This final stage is represented by rule by the "Acquisitors," or those who have the most wealth and money. They are now the elite. Materialism is now the reigning "god." Complacency (due to generations of living affluently) and amorality are what comprise the moral fiber of the people. They have forgotten the power of human nature, thinking it can be bought, molded, or changed.

But then human nature finally crashes the party, and usually in a violent way. If things go well, those who are left after the collapse will return to the basics from which their civilization sprung.."

What stage would you put America in? I think it is approaching the final stage

Read Oswald Spengler's "Decline of the West". He touches on your "4 Cycles", but goes into much greater details.

 

[MacBaine]

Originally posted by: achiral
when has this happened before

Just looking at America...

I can't remember the exact number of years... my history teacher told me once...

The time between major wars that America has been involved in has been equally (more or less) divided into these 4 periods. Think about it.

WWI; what followed was a great, prosperous time (1920s), soon after which things got worse and eventually collapsed... war started, and after WWII, things were prosperous again... things eventually got worse, collapsed... Vietnam... etc. etc. There is a book about it all somewhere... If I have time I'll look for it.

Read Oswald Spengler's "Decline of the West". He touches on your "4 Cycles", but goes into much greater details.

Hmm.. that may have been it.

 

[Eli]

Every great civilization falls. Think about it.

There have been many conquerers over the years. Where are they now?

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: burek
I found this on another forum...

"It starts in the ashes of war, and chaos. A new civilization is begun, with people living in relative freedom, and peace, and religion/faith/morality are held to be a fundamental part of reality. The elite at this time are the "Priests."

The next cycle consists of a consolidation of power - to achieve more social stability, and to strengthen the structures of that civilization. The elite at this time are the "Kings."

The 3rd cycle is the cycle of reason and intellect. This is where great progress and achievements in science and other areas are seen. But at the same time, the importance of religion/morality are pushed aside, and replaced by the new "god" of reason. The improvement of "Self" is the end goal of most endeavors. And the stage is set for the final stage of greed. The elite now are probably the "Intellectuals."

This final stage is represented by rule by the "Acquisitors," or those who have the most wealth and money. They are now the elite. Materialism is now the reigning "god." Complacency (due to generations of living affluently) and amorality are what comprise the moral fiber of the people. They have forgotten the power of human nature, thinking it can be bought, molded, or changed.

But then human nature finally crashes the party, and usually in a violent way. If things go well, those who are left after the collapse will return to the basics from which their civilization sprung.."

What stage would you put America in? I think it is approaching the final stage

I like the way whoever wrote this assumes there is a god, and bases his historical analysis on that assumption. That renders this colored statement void of scientific credibility.

 

Originally posted by: Jellomancer

Originally posted by: burek
I found this on another forum...

"It starts in the ashes of war, and chaos. A new civilization is begun, with people living in relative freedom, and peace, and religion/faith/morality are held to be a fundamental part of reality. The elite at this time are the "Priests."

The next cycle consists of a consolidation of power - to achieve more social stability, and to strengthen the structures of that civilization. The elite at this time are the "Kings."

The 3rd cycle is the cycle of reason and intellect. This is where great progress and achievements in science and other areas are seen. But at the same time, the importance of religion/morality are pushed aside, and replaced by the new "god" of reason. The improvement of "Self" is the end goal of most endeavors. And the stage is set for the final stage of greed. The elite now are probably the "Intellectuals."

This final stage is represented by rule by the "Acquisitors," or those who have the most wealth and money. They are now the elite. Materialism is now the reigning "god." Complacency (due to generations of living affluently) and amorality are what comprise the moral fiber of the people. They have forgotten the power of human nature, thinking it can be bought, molded, or changed.

But then human nature finally crashes the party, and usually in a violent way. If things go well, those who are left after the collapse will return to the basics from which their civilization sprung.."

What stage would you put America in? I think it is approaching the final stage

I like the way whoever wrote this assumes there is a god, and bases his historical analysis on that assumption. That renders this colored statement void of scientific credibility.

what, did you see god in there and just jump to conclusions? There is no mention of an assumption of God, nor is it implied. One can have morals without having a God.

 

[reitz]

Originally posted by: Eli
There have been many conquerers over the years. Where are they now?

In Washington, DC and London?

 

[achiral]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

One can have morals without having a God.

try again

 

[bigredguy]

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: FallenHero

One can have morals without having a God.

try again

why not, does god say you can't? I am a very moral person and happen to be an atheist.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: FallenHero

One can have morals without having a God.

try again

 

[achiral]

Originally posted by: bigredguy

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: FallenHero

One can have morals without having a God.

try again

why not, does god say you can't? I am a very moral person and happen to be an atheist.

and i say your morals come from God whether you like it or not

 

[bigredguy]

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: bigredguy

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: FallenHero

One can have morals without having a God.

try again

why not, does god say you can't? I am a very moral person and happen to be an atheist.

and i say your morals come from God whether you like it or not

I learned a valuable lesson when I was younger. Never argue with idiots, they bring you down to there level and beat you with experience. I will let you "win" this arguement.

 

[achiral]

Originally posted by: bigredguy

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: bigredguy

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: FallenHero

One can have morals without having a God.

try again

why not, does god say you can't? I am a very moral person and happen to be an atheist.

and i say your morals come from God whether you like it or not

I learned a valuable lesson when I was younger. Never argue with idiots, they bring you down to there level and beat you with experience. I will let you "win" this arguement.

you've obviously missed a much more important lesson

 

[bigredguy]

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: bigredguy

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: bigredguy

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: FallenHero

One can have morals without having a God.

try again

why not, does god say you can't? I am a very moral person and happen to be an atheist.

and i say your morals come from God whether you like it or not

I learned a valuable lesson when I was younger. Never argue with idiots, they bring you down to there level and beat you with experience. I will let you "win" this arguement.

you've obviously missed a much more important lesson

Oh really? Please enlighten me, I wanna be perfect like you.

 

[TheShiz]

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: bigredguy

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: bigredguy

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: FallenHero

One can have morals without having a God.

try again

why not, does god say you can't? I am a very moral person and happen to be an atheist.

and i say your morals come from God whether you like it or not

I learned a valuable lesson when I was younger. Never argue with idiots, they bring you down to there level and beat you with experience. I will let you "win" this arguement.

you've obviously missed a much more important lesson

you guys are arguing the definition of a word, since you both have a different definition no one can win, pointless.

 

[achiral]

agreed

 

[bigredguy]

Alright...