Civilisation: Its Cause and Cure; and Other Essays

This volume gathers a series of essays that began as a daring lecture to the Fabian Society in the late 1880s. The central piece tackles the notion of “civilisation” – not as an immutable ideal, but as a stage that rises, shapes societies, and may eventually give way. The author argues that the term has become clouded with skepticism, urging readers to view it historically rather than morally. Though the ideas sparked fierce criticism when first published, they now feel surprisingly prescient, suggesting a fresh way to assess progress and its limits.

The surrounding essays turn a similar critical eye toward modern science and its grand narratives. They point out how spectacular discoveries have outpaced the theories meant to explain them, leaving many fundamental concepts unsettled. By weaving historical examples with contemporary observations, the writer invites listeners to reconsider how we define advancement and what might truly cure the ailments of our present civilisation.