[Points: Introduction—realities of modern civilization—loss of finer qualities of life—deviation from spiritual life—getting self-centered—Nationalism and Internationalism of modern civilization.]
The true meaning of civilization has not become clear to mankind despite many centuries of so called civilized life. Each nation or society interprets the word "civilization" according to its own norm. There fore, the exact meaning of civilization is not clear.
Civilization connotes culture and refinement, qualities of head and heart which lifts a civilized man above a primitive one. Love, charity, sacrifice, regard for truth and honesty are some of the essential characteristics of a civilized person.
Modern civilization attaches more importance to the material comfort of life. The term material comfort of life implies good food, sound health, nice shelter, high standard of living with the use of electronic gadgets. The craziness of American people in pursuit of auto mobiles is joked upon by others as "America's Automobile Civilization." One thing we are certain of is the general degradation of mora value in this modern civilized world. Endless demand of materialistic gain leading to frustration has become more prominent in modern civilization.
At present, the pursuit of material wealth rather than, spiritual, has become all pervading. In his beautiful sonnet, "The world is too much with us," the poet Wordsworth said that material wealth is a sordid boon to which we have given our hearts away. In modern world investment on factories and giving employment opportunities are considered wise national investment rather than setting up of an Asram and providing spiritual food for large number of people.
Another important characteristic of modern civilization is the importance given to one's appearance. A person is judged by the dress he wears. his general demeanour and the connection he has rather than the intrin sic qualities he may possess.
In modern civilization education has come to play an important role. It is no longer restricted to priviledged classes only. Opportunities are now open to every individual to educate himself.
In these modern days, common people take active interest in the happenings around them. With the broadening of outlook, modern civilization has strengthened the bonds of Nationalism and Internationa lism at the expense of family ties. The old joint family system is gradu ally vanishing. The family unit is narrowing down. The solid and strong personalities which the joint family system produced are no longer to be seen in modern society.
Nevertheless, we must admit that modern civilization may be considered to be superior to and better than the older civilization in many ways. Though there is a trend towards individualism, in modern civilization there is a greater sense of unity among mankind. Science and technology has brought the whole world and the human being very close by means of quicker and improved communication system.
If mankind is able to do some constructive thinking on the removal of poverty, ignorance, inequality and injustice, which are still predominant even in the 20th century, modern civilization would be really something to be proud of.
Civilization is not static. We had the Stone age, the Copper age, and the Iron age civilizations. Now we are going through the Electronic and Automobile civilizations and are on the verge of Nuclear civilization. Who knows what awaits us two thousand years from today ?
