The Muqaddimah is a seminal work written by Ibn Khaldūn in 1377. It serves as the introduction to his larger work, 'Kitab al-‘Ibar' (The Book of Lessons), and provides a detailed philosophy of history. The book discusses historical method, the nature of society and social change, and introduces the concept of 'ʿilm al-ʿumrān' (the science of culture). It is divided into six chapters, covering topics such as human civilization, desert and sedentary civilizations, dynasties and royal authority, crafts and ways of making a living, and the sciences. Ibn Khaldūn's central concept of 'ʿaṣabiyyah' (social cohesion) explains the rise and fall of civilizations based on the strength of social bonds within tribes and societies[1][2][5].
In 'A Study of History', Arnold J. Toynbee presents a philosophy of history that examines the genesis, growth, and fall of every human civilization. The work, published between 1934 and 1961, identifies recurring patterns in the rise and decline of civilizations, attributing their development to creative responses to challenges and their decline to the failure of their leaders to continue responding innovatively. Toynbee also explores the role of religious and spiritual systems, cultural exchanges, and the impact of internal and external factors on the trajectory of civilizations. The book is known for its meticulous research, extensive use of primary sources, and analytical depth, making it a seminal work in historiography.
In 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions', Thomas S. Kuhn argues that scientific progress does not occur through a gradual accumulation of facts, but rather through periodic revolutions that disrupt existing paradigms. Kuhn introduces the concept of 'normal science' and 'revolutionary science', where normal science involves puzzle-solving within an established paradigm, and revolutionary science involves a paradigm shift that fundamentally changes the way scientists view the world. He explains that these revolutions are driven by the accumulation of anomalies that cannot be explained by the current paradigm, leading to a crisis and eventually a new paradigm that offers a different perspective and new ways of conducting research[1][3][5].
In 'Tragedy and Hope: A History of the World in Our Time', Carroll Quigley provides a detailed world history spanning from the industrial revolution and imperialism through two world wars and a global economic depression. The book examines the transition from a world dominated by Europe in the 19th century to the three-bloc system of the 20th century. Quigley, as an interpretative historian, analyzes the complex historical context of these events, highlighting the influence of science and technology on human life and the intricate financial and commercial patterns of the West. The book also discusses the role of an Anglo-American banking elite in shaping global events and the impact of various secret societies and organizations on world history[2][4][5].
Ben Landau Taylor is a writer, historian, and one of the minds behind the Bismark Brief, whose research is focused on understanding the life cycle of civilizations. Much of his work has been informed by the work of Caroll Quigley, who in the 1970s put together a seven part framework for how civilizations are born, mature, and eventually go extinct. His model was one of an economic instrument of expansion, where the tools of growth defined the success of the empire - a direct contradiction to contemporary Arnold Toynbee's perspective that it wasn't economics that drove civilization - it was some kind of spiritual commitment to a common cause. The economic model seemed more reasonable to Taylor, who then wanted to know - was it simply applicable to European history, or was this a more universal model? We talk about the ways that the rise and fall of civilizations generalizes across history, the place our own civilization is in the progression, and what the future might hold.
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(00:00) Go!
(07:08:00) The Economic Engine
(00:17:07) Motivations Behind Historical Crusades
(00:27:19) Spiritual and Economic Motives
(00:37:12) Fragility and Stability in Civilizations
(00:47:56) Evolution of Civilizations
(00:56:42) Patterns in Civilizational Waves
(01:03:52) Preservation and Historical Amnesia
(01:12:29) Historical Narratives and Bias
(01:21:11) Stagnation and Adaptation
(01:30:49) Manorial Systems and Economic Expansion
(01:41:38) Financial Capitalism's Role
(01:50:02) Financial Hoarding and Redistribution
(01:58:13) Metaverse and Digital Economies
(02:04:18) Predicting Technological Advancements
(02:11:12) AI Development and Potential
(02:21:05) Designing Safeguards Against Institutional Control
(02:29:26) Importance of Mythology in Society
(02:39:38) Significance of Ancient Chinese Canal Systems
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PODCAST INFO: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities.
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