WHAT IS WESTERN CIVILIZATION - Essay Example

Growth of human population and development of societies can broadly be described as civilization. The various mechanisms and tools that proactively support progress and improvement in the living style, work paradigm and contribute towards improved socio-economic, political and cultural environment become essential indicators of advancing civilization. The Western civilization is primarily associated with the developed societies of Europe and America that are significantly advanced vis-à-vis science and technology, education system, socio-culturally society etc.

The development of societies therefore is major component that emphasizes the changes and corroborates with the wider imperatives associated with Western civilization. The emergence of Western civilization is often linked to Greece and Roman civilization of Europe where resurgence of art and culture and increased trade activities became the fundamental of advancing society. The consolidation of political power through trade and commerce was the highlight of the era that witnessed dramatic changes in political, social and cultural environment of Europe.

The changes were mainly due to advancing knowledge in the area of science and technology and greater awareness of art and culture. Major discoveries and invention in the area of science and technology can be contributed to this period. Great artists and scholars like Michelangelo, Leonard da Vinci, Copernicus, Galileo, Botticeli etc were few of the prominent artists and scholars who had made significant impact on world and are still acknowledged for their work. Western civilization is also referred to European countries and the new world which owed its origin to the European colonization.

The New World or the contemporary America is intrinsic part of Western civilization. The tremendous advancement of American society in all areas vis-à-vis socio-cultural and political environment has been vital element that has contributed to its rapid growth into Western civilization. Indeed, the judicious use of knowledge and its development into most powerful democratic state of the world has been recognized by everyone. The science and technology was used for social advancement with envious competencies and socio-cultural and political tenets were interpreted through accrued knowledge rather than through religious guidelines.

These were key components of emerging new models of Western civilization.Western civilization is integral to the advancing knowledge that is exploited for socio-economic and political development across Europe and America. The Western society is distinct in its quest for continuously acquiring new knowledge to meet the challenges of time. Indeed, acquisition of knowledge in all areas became fundamental to the ever widening scope of utilizing the existing resources and understanding the mysteries of nature also.

The implicit and explicit knowledge became vital tools for exploitation of resources and also strong motivating agents of change. The emphasis on gender equality, need for equity and promoting socio-economic development of society were considered as key elements of new social equation and basic principles of democracy. Hence, Western civilization is marked by transforming world in terms of socio-economic and political development as well as that of fast paced technology whose presence can be felt in all spheres of our existence.

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