Civilisation Quote by Jose Ortega y Gasset
“[T]he direction of society has been taken over by a type of man who is not interested in the principles of civilisation. Not of this or that civilisation but from what we can judge to-day of any civilisation. ...[T]he type of man dominant to-day is a primitive one, a Naturmensch rising up in the midst of a civilised world.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Meditations on the Person and the Masses, 1930
Society is now dominated by individuals who ignore civilizational values, acting as primitive beings within a modern world.
In simple terms: Modern society is ruled by uncivilized individuals.
Recognize and challenge uncivilized attitudes.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- education reform
- community building
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we identify genuine civilizational values?
- What role can education play in countering primitive attitudes?
The view may overgeneralize and ignore positive progress.