ABSTRACT
Civilization is an enigma. We are all caught up in its vibrant surface but have little understanding of its hidden depths. Even civilization-watchers cannot agree as to whether its essential characteristics are cultural, social, political, economic, or some combination of them all. Not surprisingly, there is no consensus on the most basic questions asked about civilization. Questions such as: Why do civilizations rise and fall? What accounts for the dominance of Western civilization in the modern world? Does Western civilization have a future? While these questions have attracted many and varied answers, none has been very persuasive. It is not without some qualms, therefore, that I set out on this journey of exploration.
