Abstract
The usefulness of a theoretical metric for civilization is that it can help to identify the kinds of progress which society can make that is universalized for all humanity. Societal systems perform the functions which provide the values and performance of the society, and wherein societal problems occur. In the concept of the level of “civilization” of a society, four kinds of measures can assess the progress of a society in attaining universalized values: Truth, Good, Beautiful, and Wealth. The value of Truth in our civilization is methodologically investigated by science. The value of Good in our civilization is politically pursued through democracy. The value of Beautiful in our civilization is seen in the preservation of the environment of the Earth. The value of Wealth in our civilization is generated through industrialization of societal production. We apply the theory to the historical case of the International Court of Justice and Yugoslav War Crimes to examine empirical evidence about the validity of a theoretical metric.
Highlights
Overall, is there progress in civilization? Is the cross-cultural concept of “civilization” a progressive idea or merely a relativistic chauvinism? Are all civilizations equal in value to humanity as a whole? Or are some civilizations superior to other civilizations, of a progressive value to humanity as a whole? If we look at the second postulate, there is an important methodological issue of “how to measure progress”
The usefulness of a theoretical metric for civilization is that it can help to identify the kinds of progress which society can make that is universalized for all humanity
In the concept of the level of “civilization” of a society, four kinds of measures can assess the progress of a society in attaining universalized values: Truth, Good, Beautiful, and Wealth
Summary
If we look at the second postulate (progress in civilization), there is an important methodological issue of “how to measure progress”. Is the cross-cultural concept of “civilization” a progressive idea or merely a relativistic chauvinism? Are all civilizations equal in value to humanity as a whole? Are some civilizations superior to other civilizations, of a progressive value to humanity as a whole?
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