A Story of History by Arnold J. Toynbee (Chapter 2 : The Geneses of Civilizations) - Part 3

Toynbee argues that civilizations arise in response to challenges, leading to periods of growth and creativity. However, he argues that internal weaknesses, such as the rise of dominant elites and the decline of religious and moral vitality, eventually lead to stagnation and decline. Toynbee draws on numerous historical examples to support his theory, examining civilizations from ancient Mesopotamia to modern Western society.

In this abridged version, Somervell effectively captures the essence of Toynbee's vast and complex work, making it accessible to a wider audience. The book explores key concepts such as the "challenge and response" mechanism, the role of religion and philosophy in shaping civilizations, and the impact of contact between different cultures. Toynbee's insights into the dynamics of historical change, while sometimes controversial, continue to resonate with readers today.

The book contains five major chapter:

1. Introduction
Part 1 (The Unit of Historical Study)
Part 2 (The Comparative Study of Civilizations)
Part 3 (The Comparability of Societies)

2. The Geneses of Civilizations
Part 1 (The Problem and How Not to Solve it)
Part 2 (Challenge and Response)
Part 3 (The Virtues of Adversity)
Part 4 (The Challenge of the Environment)
Part 5 (The Golden Mean)

3. The Growths of Civilizations
Part 1 (The Arrested Civilizations)
Part 2 (The Nature of the Growths of Civilizations)
Part 3 (An Analysis of Growth)
Part 4 (Differentiation Through Growth)

4. The Breakdown of Civilizations
Part 1 (The Nature of the Problem)
Part 2 (Deterministic Solutions)
Part 3 (Loss of Command Over the Environment)
Part 4 (Failure of Self-Determination)

5. The Disintegrations of Civilizations
Part 1 (The Nature of Disintegration)
Part 2 (Schism in the Body Social)
Part 3 (Schism in the Soul)
Part 4 (The Relation Between Disintegrating Societies and Individuals)
Part 5 (The Rhythm of Disintegration)
Part 6 (Standardization Through Disintegration)

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