ABSTRACT
The extraordinary success of Spengler's The Decline of the West is due to the fact that it posed the problem of historical destiny. Every type of culture known to history demonstrates its liability to disintegrate and be transformed into another state to which the term 'culture' is no longer applicable. The assertion of the will to 'life', power, organization and earthly happiness, brings about mankind's spiritual decline; for the higher spiritual life is based upon asceticism and resignation. Civilization was born of man's will to real 'life', power and happiness as opposed to the symbolic and contemplative nature of culture. This chapter establishes four periods or states in man's historical destiny: barbarism, culture, civilization and religious transfiguration. Like all the peoples of the world to-day we lack culture and are destined to tread the path of civilization.
