Civilization

John Stuart Mill's essay Civilization first appeared in the London and Westminster Review in 1836; this edition prints it as a short standalone book. Mill welcomes the wealth, cooperation and spread of knowledge that mark advanced societies but warns that power is passing to the masses while individual energy and character weaken, and that a flood of print can crowd out serious thought. His remedy is a more demanding education, including reformed universities, able to produce independent minds.

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Patrick Collison: “Had some travel this week. I really enjoyed: … [Civilization, John Stuart Mill]”