Chapter One of "Civilization" looks at the development of underlying culture of Western Civilization.
Starting in pre-history with the migration of ancient Homo Sapiens into Europe Osborne follows the development of the underlying cultures of western civilization from hunter gatherer to semi-nomadic to fixed (sedentary) communities. In many ways he echoes Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond, especially his admiration of hunter-gatherers over "sedentary" communities.
Interestingly Osborne argues that the main influence on western society is Germanic or Celtic and not the Romans or the Greeks. At the same time he dismisses the popular history of the Anglo-Saxon influence in Britain and France. Arguing that it was individuals who settled in areas that spread that culture rather than repeated armed invasions that overcame the dominant Celtic cultures. This occured partially beacuse the Celts would foster superior individuals into "royal" families and inheritance was not dependent on primogeniture. I wonder how this is going to square with the arguments that are apparently presented in "A Farewell to Alms" by Gregory Clark?
Up to this point "Civilization" has only dealt with pre-literate societies, and Osbornes admiration for them is evident. At one point he argues that customary law is superior to written law because it draws communities together while written laws separate them. He makes the same argument regarding storytelling as the main imparter of information versus written histories. This presages chapter two in which hes says he will explore the development of writing and it's (destructive) influence.
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Roger Osborne, Civilization, A Farewll to Alms, Gregory Clark, Guns, Germs and Steel, Jared Diamond, History , Books
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