In fact, the words perfectibilité and civilisation made…
““In fact, the words perfectibilité and civilisation made their first appearance in any European language in the 1750s. The adjective ‘social’ acquired currency at the same time, pointing to a new secular order, civil society, which was distinct from the state and from religion. Only a few years separated the publication of such major works of enlightened philosophy as Buffon’s Natural History and Condillac’s Treatise on Systems in 1749 and Montesquieu’s hugely influential The Spirit of the Laws in 1748.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The terms “perfectibility” and “civilisation” emerged in the 1750s, alongside “social,” signaling a new secular civil society distinct from state and religion.
In simple terms: New words reflected a shift to secular civil society.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the historical roots of modern civil concepts.
Themes
history
philosophy
societal development
secularism
language evolution
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
historical
intellectual
When to use this quote
- academic study
- policy analysis
- civic education
- cultural criticism
Key Concepts
Enlightenment thought
social theory
civil society formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How did Enlightenment ideas reshape political structures?
- What role does language play in societal change?
A Different Perspective
These concepts evolved further with industrialization and modern politics.