THE MEANING OF HISTORY
CIVILISATION ON TRIAL, By" Arnold Js Toynbee. Oxford University Press, London. English price, 12/6. ARNOLD TOYNBEE’s new book may be a little disappointing to people who have read A Study of History. It would be unreasonable, however, to expect from a collection of essays the intellectual excitement stimulated by a massive work in six volumes, or by Somervell’s masterly abridgement. Toynbee’s argument has heen stated in his Study, and the most that can be looked for in occasional writings is a simplification of his great theme, or the illumination of some parts of it by historical comparisons. Even when he _ writes briefly, and a little carelessly (for there is a noticeable weakening of style in the essays) Toynbee draws easily on his vast erudition. The reader finds himself lifted to new stations in space and time. He sees Europe in perspective, as a promontory of Asia; he sees more clearly the significance of maritime discovery; and he acquires a time-scale which makes human adventure seem a ‘story in its opening chapters. It as a little surprising, however, to notice in at least one of the essays that. a historian who has charted the rise and fall of civilisations: should be anxious to prove that our present culture in the west has better chances of survival than its predecessors. There is, as Toynbee himself points out, a sense in which civilisations do not die. ‘The best achievements of mind and spirit are preserved, and have a continuing effect. None of the great religious leadersConfucius and Lao-Tse, the Buddha, the prophets of Israel and Judah, Zoroaster, Jesus, Muhammed and Socrates-
can be claimed by any of the five civilisations now in existence. This fact gives point to Toynbee’s argument that the real meaning of history is to be found, not in the growth and decline of civilisations, but in the rise of higher religions. If that belief is true, it should be possible to see that the life and death cycle is as normal for nations and races as it is for individuals. Toynbee’s attitude is religious, but he clings also to the hope that western culture may have unique powers of survival. It would be more logical, perhaps, to adopt the "tragic" view of human destiny, which gives hope only to the climbing
spirit.
M.H.
H.
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 515, 6 May 1949, Page 18
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389THE MEANING OF HISTORY New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 515, 6 May 1949, Page 18
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