Civilized cultures

[Rev.Crowley]

Are some cultures more civilized than others? I would say yes, although there is a current school of thought that would seem to deny this. Surely a culture that does not practice cannibalism or human sacrifice is superior to a culture which DOES practice these things? And surely the advanced culture has a duty to enlighten the backward one?

[froggequene]

I would say yes that are some cultures that appear to be more advanced then others but who decides who is backward and who is advanced? Half the worlds problems seem to have been caused by cultures that considered themselves advanced and set about enlightening everyone else regardless of whether or not it was necessary. Surely it is better to find a way to live side by side or better still leave them alone and allow what is regarded as the 'inferior' culture to decide their own rate of development? Interference is not always welcome or necessary surely?

[xyzzyplugh]

agree with froggequene.

[Rev.Crowley]

Who decides, froggequene? You decide. You have just agreed that some cultures are more advanced than others. And rightly so. If we ever give up on that, if we ever rationalise savagery or barbarism, then we might as well give up trying to be civilized. If we ever give up on standards of right and wrong, then we slip back to being animals. A civilized mind is repelled by things like infanticide and cannibalism, and has a duty to stop it, even if it contradicts a people's beliefs.

[xyzzyplugh]

an animal mind doesn't know it's gonna die, or worry about what to wear, or have inhibitions it just 'is' what can be more natural? See dictionary definition of sophisticated, it means f**cked up, basically.

[froggequene]

I said some cultures APPEAR to be more advanced, that is a h*ll of a lot different saying that they are. I also asked who sets the standards which decide what is advanced and what is backward? Surely it is a societys duty to correct is own ills before it sets itself up in judgement of everyone else? The Western world has enough to occupy it without sticking its nose in other peoples business but it persists in doing so. Every culture has its repulsive aspects, cannibalism and infanticide are horrible facts of life in some parts of the world, evidence suggests that cannibalism may be practised not so far from our comfortable existence here in the UK but how do you propose to wipe out something that a culture will conspire to keep alive? How far are you willing to deviate from your perceived standards of decency and morality to interfere in another culture?