Civilization Quote by Peter Jelen
““, civilization is an ever-changing tacit agreement, culturally inherited, not chosen at birth. Civilization is the invention of man, my big friend. It is a means of ensuring order and structure; it is man’s attempt to expunge all and every act of randomness from daily life. The ultimate goal of civilization is determinism, the complete absence of freewill. If everyone adhered to every rule, every demand, every decree of civilization, there would be no accidents, no arguments, no crime! Man would move through his life smoothly, like a well-oiled cog in a grandfather clock.””
About This Quote
Civilization is described as a collective agreement that suppresses randomness and free will, aiming for total order and determinism.
In simple terms: Society tries to eliminate chaos and free will.
Key Takeaway
Question the cost of excessive order.
Themes
society
order
determinism
freewill
randomness
Mood
critical
philosophical
Type
analysis
warning
When to use this quote
- government policy
- education systems
- workplace rules
- personal habits
Key Concepts
social contract
philosophy
control
structure
Questions to Reflect On
- How much order is beneficial?
- What freedoms might be lost?
A Different Perspective
Over‑control can stifle creativity and individuality.
