The Paradox Of Civilisation

A GNA Feature by Rex Annan
Accra, May 13, GNA - Our cities are littered with billboards and they carry messages for specific target groups. Unique among them is the one that invites its patrons, to "come to where the flavour is". Now, beneath the fa=E7ade of that invitation are letters in red print, warning the would-be-patrons that the product on offer is in fact poisonous and, therefore, poses a danger to the health of those who attempt to honour the invitation.

The product in question is tobacco, an addictive substance that is associated with several kinds of diseases and death. It, therefore, stands to reason in the public interest to simply decree the poison from existence as the Ministry of Health has certified same to be dangerous and offensive to public health. This of course would be deemed uncivilized and against the gains of civilization, which simply put is man's quest for the highest ideals - social, moral, scientific, technological among others - in governing the environment. The above illustration is simply to illustrate the real paradox of civilization. In contrast, modern civilization has recorded a historical fall-out of the socio-economic processes and dynamics that unfolded in Western Europe, particularly driven by the industrial revolution of the 19th century. This, as it were, has redefined the love values, tastes and behavioural conducts of people, who now indulge in "civilized" standards of behaviour. These preferred acquired "civilized" patterns of behaviour are at variance with good moral values, that border on decency, decorum, modesty and integrity.
Even as much as we accept the fact that man's quest after civilization has brought tremendous and far-reaching changes globally, we cannot but accept the fact that this crave/quest has equally carried in its wake, monumental paradoxes, which human mind find it difficult to comprehend.
We all live in a global world, which has succumbed to the push-pull of the technological advancement. Consequently, our much cherished moral, social and religious values have been severely compromised. This Writer at this point prefers to zero in on our academic community, especially the Universities, which instructively is the hotbed of civilized conduct. Additionally, universities are centres for learning and research, above every other consideration. Yet it must be accepted that looking at the comportment of our students - their dressing and general outlook - one may run away with the impression that one were within an environment/community where a beauty pageant was taking place. The skimpy and semi-nude dresses worn by both sexes; represent a monstrous assault on our academic culture and a major yet unnecessary irritant to our quest for real university education, which to all intent and purpose is a serious business. What is witnessed in many of the nation's universities can be said to be a travesty and mockery of civilized conduct.
It is, therefore, worth drawing attention to the fact that civilization is not just the simple matter of economics, but the totality of the technology and culture it gives rise to. Currently, in a so-called civilized world, the debate as to what constitutes what is civilized and what is barbaric is not always as clear cut as it should be. Now in the area of human rights, debates on social justice and the discussion on the right to life, it becomes difficult to determine issues like a woman's right to terminate an unwanted pregnancy viewed against the backdrop of the moral question of the right of the unborn baby to live. Or even the moral dilemma of euthanasia/mercy killing? Or even the contentious debates on death penalty. Even the Church has not been spared the acrimonious debate on the propriety of ordination of gay bishops, all on the altar of the vexed debate on absolutes of sexual preferences, even when such violates God's normative order.
The point expressed here is not about turning one's back to mankind's collective gains, particularly the vast advances that have been recorded in science and technology, but to draw some clear lines to perplexing issues that remain unresolved as mankind continues his roller-coaster ride to discover the "ultimate truth", since from all indications man is not about to give up in the quest! The truth of the matter is that there must be a place for God in all of this. This is against the backdrop that man; even with the benefit of existing knowledge is unlikely to resolve the paradox of civilization. The convenient course would be to return to the sustainable path of God's will.
There is also the need for a fresh research from the level of the individual by saying no to the so-called civilized ideals which have turned a Frankenstein.
To reduce the damage, civilization must be tailored to mirror God's desires and we as individuals at the very minimal level must re-orientate our minds towards fulfilling those excellent honourable desires.
Indeed, civilization turbulence has arrived with vengeance, and only individuals and nations that face it with Divine intervention will achieve the ultimate.