THE GRAND CYCLE OF CIVILIZATIONS

I came across the following "cycle of civilizations" in my hand-written notes. It is attributed to Alexander Tyler, ca. 1750. There has always been some debate amongst philosophers about whether there is a predictable cyclicality to human civilizations (the circular, or Greek model - history always "repeats itself"), or whether the human experience witnesses a more linear trajectory; a "telos," (Greek for "goal"), an "endgame," so to speak (the latter a strongly Christian view of things). Does history have a purpose? Is it going somewhere? Is there real "progress"? (whatever that means) That kind of thing...

My own view is that there is truth to both views (a Post for another day...).

Be that as it may, Tyler's simple model deserves some serious reflection, as it succinctly states some profound truths about the "round trip" many civilizations take. Think about this:



From Bondage to Spiritual Faith

From Spiritual Faith to Great Courage

From Great Courage to Liberty

From Liberty to Abundance

From Abundance to Complacency

From Complacency to Apathy

From Apathy to Dependency

From Dependency to Bondage...


Sound familiar?

I thought so...


TTC