Author’s main argument
Dalrymple’s main argument is about defending and maintaining civilization in the face of rising threats and challenges. The article opens by pondering on the vulnerability of civilization during major events such as the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. After these tragic occurrences, the writer concedes feeling unimportant but stresses that civilization is more important and delicate than one might think. Dalrymple contends that civilization is a high cultural achievement and an intricate web of relations and activities (Dalrymple, 2001). The activities range from mundane to grandiose and go beyond the mere survival of human beings. According to the author, the first condition for civilization is when people agree to suppress their most basic instincts and appetites. This underscores the significance of self-control as well as societal order.
The symbolic importance of cultural expressions in the face of barbarism is conveyed by referring to historical examples such as Myra Hess’s concerts during World War II and the Beethoven quartet played by four men in Nazi Germany. Revolts against civilization, like those witnessed through destruction and vandalism, even in Liberia’s civil war, depict ignorance and brutality. Dalrymple questions the denial of a difference between higher and lower, downgrade of cultural achievements and refusal to recognize the necessity of controlling the savage potential inherent in human beings (Dalrymple, 2001). The author’s work as a physician has enabled him to see that the erosion of civilization norms has ramifications that hurt people.
Support for the main argument
In supporting the main argument, Theodore Dalrymple uses personal experiences, historical references and first-hand observations as a physician. Dalrymple compares his initial reaction to the 9/11 attacks with his daily routines, such as editing book reviews. He believes they are completely irrelevant when juxtaposed with the loss of thousands of lives from the fall of the World Trade Center. He draws illustrations from past events like those during World War II, showing concerts or about men in Berlin playing Beethoven prior to their probable arrest by the Gestapo. Dalrymple seeks to underscore how symbolic culture and civilization are in the presence of violence.
According to Dalrymple, civilization cannot be achieved simply by appreciating high cultural achievements. He believes civilization depends on various activities and relations that range between the very simple and the most sophisticated ones, bringing human existence beyond mere biology (Dalrymple, 2001). He recollects his early years as a young child in London, which were spent amidst bomb sites and shelters, which caused him an early realization of how fragile civilization could be.
The author offers examples from his extensive travels to Iran, Afghanistan, and Mozambique. In these areas, he witnessed the destructive impulses of rebellion against civilization. He remembers his visit to Liberia during the civil war, where the Centennial Hall grand piano was systematically destroyed among other public facilities to symbolically reject human perfection and culture (Dalrymple, 2001). He contrasts the horror at the scene with the indifference of two British journalists who failed to recognize the link between cultural destruction and societal breakdown.
Dalrymple critiques the dominant intellectual posture that undermines civilization, often seen as a façade by scholars while they deny the need to repress primitive desires. He states that this stance has infected the Western societies, leading to loss of cultural values and pernicious tolerance for barbarism. The writer underscores how his medical profession has lost all civilized standards through some cases he witnessed in real life involving cruelty and moral degradation.
My Positions
I agree with Theodore Dalrymple’s perspective on the fragility and need to protect civilization. Dalrymple’s assertion that our civilization is more precious and fragile than commonly perceived resonates with a poignant truth. His exploration of this theme prompts a deep reflection on our societal values. I concur with Dalrymple’s observation that significant global events like 9/11 often prompt people to question the importance and value of their everyday activities. The collision between individual activities and serious disasters emphasizes how insignificant individual actions are. However, symbolic acts of these civilizations are formed, which resist the savagery of their surrounding areas. He demonstrates this through historical examples such as Myra Hess’s wartime concerts and the Beethoven quartet played by men facing probable arrest.
Dalrymple’s concept of civilization’s multifaceted nature, including cultural achievements and daily tasks, aligns with my belief in the interconnectedness of elements that sustain a thriving society. It resonates with my awareness that civilization is a collective endeavour, and everyone contributes to its preservation and progress. His account of what he went through during the Liberian civil war is a chilling reminder of how quickly and totally society can collapse. The destruction of culture’s symbols and institutions, such as the Steinway grand piano, shows a lack of interest in refinement and intellectual work during periods when major changes in society happened. Destruction of cultural symbols like the Steinway grand piano reflects a disregard for intellectual progress during societal turmoil. I also share Dalrymple’s concern about the corrosive impact of intellectual assaults on established norms as I contemplate the erosion of civilized standards in my medical practice. Fostering individualism and disregarding cultural and societal distinctions may be a potential danger to undermining civilization.
Reasons for Agreement
Destruction of cultural symbols and rejection of intellectual achievements are trends that can have long-lasting consequences. However, I also believe that discussions around civilization should be nuanced. In my view, intellectual development is criticizing and questioning some features of culture and traditions. Striking a balance between preserving important aspects of culture and allowing for changes that portray the prevailing social values is essential (Acemoglu & Robinson, 2021).
Aristotle’s concepts of the pursuit of virtue and the highest good support this claim. The idea that culture and society’s achievements have some inherent value is consistent with the defence of civilization. Dalrymple agrees with Aristotle that cultivating virtues is essential for leading a meaningful life, indicating that civilization should be valued over material possessions and present circumstances (Kraut, 2001). The point aligns with Aristotle’s exploration of awareness works against the highest good. Dalrymple contends that one should acknowledge civilization’s significance even as they protect it. This supports the idea that understanding the highest good helps us make moral decisions that lead to meaningful lives full of virtues. Dalrymple appeal to acknowledge and preserve civilization can also be understood as an application of Aristotle’s ethical system.
References
Acemoglu, D., & Robinson, J. A. (2021, May 1). Culture, institutions and social equilibria: a framework. National Bureau of Economic Research. https://www.nber.org/papers/w28832
Dalrymple, T. (2001). What we have to lose. City Journal. https://www.city-journal.org/article/what-we-have-to-lose
Kraut, R. (2001, May 1). Aristotle’s ethics. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/
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