western civilization
A student learns about the achievements of western civilization in a history class.
Noun: 1. The modern culture, society, and values originating from and characteristic of Western Europe and North America. This term broadly encompasses the social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, belief systems, political systems, and artifacts that have developed historically in the Western world, often associated with classical heritage, Christianity, the Enlightenment, and industrialization.
The term is used to discuss cultural, historical, and societal attributes in an academic, historical, or comparative context. - It is often used as a singular, uncountable concept (e.g., Western civilization). - It can be contrasted with other broad cultural spheres, such as Eastern civilization or Islamic civilization.
- The philosophical foundations of Western civilization are often traced to ancient Greece and Rome.
- The spread of Western civilization has had a profound impact on global politics and economics.
- Scholars debate the defining characteristics and future trajectory of Western civilization.
- "The clash of civilizations": A theoretical framework where conflict in the post-Cold War world would be based on cultural and religious identities, often positioning Western civilization against others.
- "The decline of Western civilization": A phrase used in cultural criticism to discuss perceived social, moral, or artistic decay within Western societies.
- Western culture: A very close synonym, sometimes used interchangeably, though "civilization" can imply a broader historical and institutional scope.
- The West: A more geopolitical term often used to refer to the group of countries associated with Western civilization.
- Occident: A formal, chiefly historical term for the countries of the West.
- Western culture
- Occidental civilization (formal/historical)
The term "Western civilization" is a modern construct used to group diverse nations and traditions under a shared historical narrative. Its definition and the nations it includes can be subject to debate. The famous quote from the reference context ("...he thought it would be a good idea") is a critique, implying that the ideal of Western civilization was not fully realized in practice.
A student learns about the achievements of western civilization in a history class.
- the modern culture of western Europe and North America
- when Ghandi was asked what he thought of Western civilization he said he thought it would be a good idea