Changes

81:6.1 While [[biologic]] [[evolution]] has proceeded ever upward, much of [[cultural]] [[evolution]] went out from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates Euphrates valley] in [[waves]], which successively weakened as [[time]] passed until finally the whole of the [[pure]]-line [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_76#76:4._THE_VIOLET_RACE Adamic] [[posterity]] had gone forth to enrich the [[civilizations]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia Asia] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe Europe]. The races did not fully blend, but their [[civilizations]] did to a considerable extent mix. [[Culture]] did slowly spread throughout the world. And this [[civilization]] must be [[maintained]] and fostered, for there exist today no new [[sources]] of [[culture]], no [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andites] to invigorate and [[stimulate]] the slow [[progress]] of the [[evolution]] of [[civilization]].

81:6.1 While [[biologic]] [[evolution]] has proceeded ever upward, much of [[cultural]] [[evolution]] went out from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphrates Euphrates valley] in [[waves]], which successively weakened as [[time]] passed until finally the whole of the [[pure]]-line [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_76#76:4._THE_VIOLET_RACE Adamic] [[posterity]] had gone forth to enrich the [[civilizations]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia Asia] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe Europe]. The races did not fully blend, but their [[civilizations]] did to a considerable extent mix. [[Culture]] did slowly spread throughout the world. And this [[civilization]] must be [[maintained]] and fostered, for there exist today no new [[sources]] of [[culture]], no [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andites] to invigorate and [[stimulate]] the slow [[progress]] of the [[evolution]] of [[civilization]].

81:6.2 The civilization which is now evolving on Urantia grew out of, and is predicated on, the following factors:

81:6.2 The [[civilization]] which is now [[evolving]] on [[Urantia]] grew out of, and is predicated on, the following [[factors]]:

81:6.3 1. Natural circumstances. The nature and extent of a material civilization is in large measure determined by the natural resources available. Climate, weather, and numerous physical conditions are factors in the evolution of culture.

81:6.3 1. ''Natural circumstances''. The [[nature]] and extent of a [[material]] [[civilization]] is in large [[measure]] determined by the [[natural]] [[resources]] available. [[Climate]], [[weather]], and numerous [[physical]] conditions are factors in the [[evolution]] of [[culture]].

81:6.4 At the opening of the Andite era there were only two extensive and fertile open hunting areas in all the world. One was in North America and was overspread by the Amerinds; the other was to the north of Turkestan and was partly occupied by an Andonic-yellow race. The decisive factors in the evolution of a superior culture in southwestern Asia were race and climate. The Andites were a great people, but the crucial factor in determining the course of their civilization was the increasing aridity of Iran, Turkestan, and Sinkiang, which forced them to invent and adopt new and advanced methods of wresting a livelihood from their decreasingly fertile lands.

81:6.4 At the opening of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andite] era there were only two extensive and fertile open [[hunting]] areas in all the world. One was in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America North America] and was overspread by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_the_Americas Amerinds]; the other was to the north of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkestan Turkestan] and was partly occupied by an [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_64#64:1._THE_ANDONIC_ABORIGINES Andonic]-yellow race. The decisive [[factors]] in the [[evolution]] of a superior [[culture]] in southwestern Asia were [[race]] and [[climate]]. The [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78#78:4._THE_ANDITES Andites] were a great people, but the crucial [[factor]] in determining the [[course]] of their [[civilization]] was the increasing [[aridity]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran Iran], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkestan Turkestan], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinkiang Sinkiang], which forced them to [[invent]] and [[adopt]] new and advanced [[methods]] of wresting a livelihood from their decreasingly [[fertile]] [[lands]].

81:6.5 The configuration of continents and other land-arrangement situations are very influential in determining peace or war. Very few Urantians have ever had such a favorable opportunity for continuous and unmolested development as has been enjoyed by the peoples of North America—protected on practically all sides by vast oceans.

81:6.5 The [[configuration]] of [[continents]] and other [[land]]-arrangement situations are very [[influential]] in determining [[peace]] or [[war]]. Very few Urantians have ever had such a favorable [[opportunity]] for continuous and unmolested [[development]] as has been enjoyed by the [[peoples]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America North America]—protected on practically all sides by vast [[oceans]].

81:6.6 2. Capital goods. Culture is never developed under conditions of poverty; leisure is essential to the progress of civilization. Individual character of moral and spiritual value may be acquired in the absence of material wealth, but a cultural civilization is only derived from those conditions of material prosperity which foster leisure combined with ambition.

81:6.6 2. ''Capital goods''. [[Culture]] is never developed under conditions of [[poverty]]; [[leisure]] is [[essential]] to the [[progress]] of [[civilization]]. [[Individual]] [[character]] of [[moral]] and [[spiritual]] [[value]] may be acquired in the [[absence]] of [[material]] [[wealth]], but a cultural [[civilization]] is only derived from those conditions of [[material]] [[prosperity]] which foster [[leisure]] combined with [[ambition]].

81:6.7 During primitive times life on Urantia was a serious and sober business. And it was to escape this incessant struggle and interminable toil that mankind constantly tended to drift toward the salubrious climate of the tropics. While these warmer zones of habitation afforded some remission from the intense struggle for existence, the races and tribes who thus sought ease seldom utilized their unearned leisure for the advancement of civilization. Social progress has invariably come from the thoughts and plans of those races that have, by their intelligent toil, learned how to wrest a living from the land with lessened effort and shortened days of labor and thus have been able to enjoy a well-earned and profitable margin of leisure.

81:6.7 During [[primitive]] times life on [[Urantia]] was a serious and sober [[business]]. And it was to [[escape]] this incessant [[struggle]] and interminable toil that [[mankind]] constantly tended to drift toward the [[salubrious]] [[climate]] of the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropics tropics]. While these warmer zones of habitation afforded some remission from the [[intense]] [[struggle]] for [[existence]], the races and [[tribes]] who thus sought ease seldom utilized their unearned [[leisure]] for the advancement of [[civilization]]. [[Social]] [[progress]] has invariably come from the [[thoughts]] and [[plans]] of those races that have, by their [[intelligent]] toil, learned how to wrest a living from the [[land]] with lessened [[effort]] and shortened days of [[labor]] and thus have been able to [[enjoy]] a well-earned and profitable margin of [[leisure]].

81:6.8 3. Scientific knowledge. The material aspects of civilization must always await the accumulation of scientific data. It was a long time after the discovery of the bow and arrow and the utilization of animals for power purposes before man learned how to harness wind and water, to be followed by the employment of steam and electricity. But slowly the tools of civilization improved. Weaving, pottery, the domestication of animals, and metalworking were followed by an age of writing and printing.

81:6.8 3. ''Scientific knowledge''. The [[material]] aspects of [[civilization]] must always await the accumulation of [[scientific]] [[data]]. It was a long time after the [[discovery]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_and_arrow bow and arrow] and the utilization of [[animals]] for [[power]] [[purposes]] before man learned how to harness [[wind]] and [[water]], to be followed by the employment of [[steam]] and [[electricity]]. But slowly the [[tools]] of [[civilization]] improved. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weaving Weaving], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pottery pottery], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestication domestication] of animals, and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallurgy metalworking] were followed by an age of [[writing]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing printing].

81:6.9 Knowledge is power. Invention always precedes the acceleration of cultural development on a world-wide scale. Science and invention benefited most of all from the printing press, and the interaction of all these cultural and inventive activities has enormously accelerated the rate of cultural advancement.

81:6.9 [[Knowledge]] is [[power]]. [[Invention]] always precedes the [[acceleration]] of [[cultural]] [[development]] on a world-wide [[scale]]. [[Science]] and [[invention]] benefited most of all from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing_Press printing press], and the interaction of all these [[cultural]] and inventive [[activities]] has enormously [[accelerated]] the [[rate]] of cultural advancement.

81:6.10 Science teaches man to speak the new language of mathematics and trains his thoughts along lines of exacting precision. And science also stabilizes philosophy through the elimination of error, while it purifies religion by the destruction of superstition.

81:6.10 [[Science]] teaches man to speak the new [[language]] of [[mathematics]] and trains his [[thoughts]] along lines of exacting [[precision]]. And science also stabilizes [[philosophy]] through the elimination of [[error]], while it purifies [[religion]] by the destruction of [[superstition]].

81:6.11 4. Human resources. Man power is indispensable to the spread of civilization. All things equal, a numerous people will dominate the civilization of a smaller race. Hence failure to increase in numbers up to a certain point prevents the full realization of national destiny, but there comes a point in population increase where further growth is suicidal. Multiplication of numbers beyond the optimum of the normal man-land ratio means either a lowering of the standards of living or an immediate expansion of territorial boundaries by peaceful penetration or by military conquest, forcible occupation.

81:6.11 4. ''Human resources''. Man power is indispensable to the spread of [[civilization]]. All [[things]] [[equal]], a numerous people will [[dominate]] the [[civilization]] of a smaller race. Hence failure to increase in [[numbers]] up to a certain point prevents the full [[realization]] of [[national]] [[destiny]], but there comes a point in [[population]] increase where further [[growth]] is [[suicidal]]. Multiplication of numbers beyond the optimum of the [[normal]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man-land_ratio man-land ratio] means either a lowering of the [[standards of living]] or an [[immediate]] expansion of territorial boundaries by peaceful penetration or by [[military]] [[conquest]], forcible occupation.

81:6.12 You are sometimes shocked at the ravages of war, but you should recognize the necessity for producing large numbers of mortals so as to afford ample opportunity for social and moral development; with such planetary fertility there soon occurs the serious problem of overpopulation. Most of the inhabited worlds are small. Urantia is average, perhaps a trifle undersized. The optimum stabilization of national population enhances culture and prevents war. And it is a wise nation which knows when to cease growing.

81:6.12 You are sometimes shocked at the ravages of [[war]], but you should [[recognize]] the [[necessity]] for producing large [[numbers]] of [[mortals]] so as to afford ample [[opportunity]] for [[social]] and [[moral]] [[development]]; with such planetary [[fertility]] there soon occurs the serious [[problem]] of overpopulation. Most of the [[inhabited worlds]] are small. [[Urantia]] is [[average]], perhaps a trifle undersized. The optimum [[stabilization]] of national [[population]] enhances [[culture]] and prevents [[war]]. And it is a [[wise]] nation which knows when to cease growing.

81:6.13 But the continent richest in natural deposits and the most advanced mechanical equipment will make little progress if the intelligence of its people is on the decline. Knowledge can be had by education, but wisdom, which is indispensable to true culture, can be secured only through experience and by men and women who are innately intelligent. Such a people are able to learn from experience; they may become truly wise.

81:6.13 But the [[continent]] richest in [[natural]] deposits and the most advanced [[mechanical]] equipment will make little [[progress]] if the [[intelligence]] of its people is on the decline. [[Knowledge]] can be had by [[education]], but [[wisdom]], which is indispensable to true [[culture]], can be secured only through [[experience]] and by men and women who are [[innately]] [[intelligent]]. Such a people are able to learn from [[experience]]; they may become truly wise.

81:6.14 5. Effectiveness of material resources. Much depends on the wisdom displayed in the utilization of natural resources, scientific knowledge, capital goods, and human potentials. The chief factor in early civilization was the force exerted by wise social masters; primitive man had civilization literally thrust upon him by his superior contemporaries. Well-organized and superior minorities have largely ruled this world.

81:6.14 5. ''Effectiveness of material resources''. Much depends on the [[wisdom]] displayed in the utilization of [[natural]] [[resources]], [[scientific]] [[knowledge]], [[capital]] goods, and [[human]] [[potentials]]. The chief [[factor]] in early [[civilization]] was the [[force]] exerted by wise social masters; [[primitive]] man had [[civilization]] [[literally]] thrust upon him by his superior contemporaries. Well-[[organized]] and superior [[minorities]] have largely ruled this world.

81:6.15 Might does not make right, but might does make what is and what has been in history. Only recently has Urantia reached that point where society is willing to debate the ethics of might and right.

81:6.15 Might does not make right, but might does make what is and what has been in [[history]]. Only recently has [[Urantia]] reached that point where [[society]] is willing to [[debate]] the [[ethics]] of might and right.

81:6.16 6. Effectiveness of language. The spread of civilization must wait upon language. Live and growing languages insure the expansion of civilized thinking and planning. During the early ages important advances were made in language. Today, there is great need for further linguistic development to facilitate the expression of evolving thought.

81:6.16 6. ''Effectiveness of language''. The spread of [[civilization]] must wait upon [[language]]. Live and growing languages insure the expansion of civilized [[thinking]] and [[planning]]. During the early ages important advances were made in [[language]]. Today, there is great need for further [[linguistic]] [[development]] to [[facilitate]] the [[expression]] of evolving [[thought]].

81:6.17 Language evolved out of group associations, each local group developing its own system of word exchange. Language grew up through gestures, signs, cries, imitative sounds, intonation, and accent to the vocalization of subsequent alphabets. Language is man's greatest and most serviceable thinking tool, but it never flourished until social groups acquired some leisure. The tendency to play with language develops new words—slang. If the majority adopt the slang, then usage constitutes it language. The origin of dialects is illustrated by the indulgence in " baby talk " in a family group.

81:6.17 [[Language]] evolved out of group [[associations]], each local group [[developing]] its own [[system]] of [[word]] exchange. [[Language]] grew up through [[gestures]], signs, cries, imitative [[sounds]], intonation, and accent to the vocalization of subsequent [[alphabets]]. Language is man's greatest and most serviceable [[thinking]] [[tool]], but it never flourished until [[social]] [[groups]] acquired some [[leisure]]. The [[tendency]] to [[play]] with [[language]] [[develops]] new [[words]]—[[slang]]. If the [[majority]] adopt the slang, then usage [[constitutes]] it language. The [[origin]] of [[dialects]] is [[illustrated]] by the indulgence in "baby talk" in a [[family]] [[group]].

81:6.18 Language differences have ever been the great barrier to the extension of peace. The conquest of dialects must precede the spread of a culture throughout a race, over a continent, or to a whole world. A universal language promotes peace, insures culture, and augments happiness. Even when the tongues of a world are reduced to a few, the mastery of these by the leading cultural peoples mightily influences the achievement of world-wide peace and prosperity.

81:6.18 [[Language]] [[differences]] have ever been the great barrier to the extension of [[peace]]. The [[conquest]] of [[dialects]] must precede the spread of a [[culture]] throughout a race, over a [[continent]], or to a whole world. A [[universal]] [[language]] promotes [[peace]], insures [[culture]], and augments [[happiness]]. Even when the tongues of a world are reduced to a few, the mastery of these by the [[leading]] [[cultural]] peoples mightily [[influences]] the achievement of world-wide [[peace]] and [[prosperity]].

81:6.19 While very little progress has been made on Urantia toward developing an international language, much has been accomplished by the establishment of international commercial exchange. And all these international relations should be fostered, whether they involve language, trade, art, science, competitive play, or religion.

81:6.19 While very little [[progress]] has been made on [[Urantia]] toward [[developing]] an international language, much has been accomplished by the [[establishment]] of international [[commercial]] exchange. And all these international [[relations]] should be fostered, whether they involve [[language]], [[trade]], art, [[science]], competitive [[play]], or [[religion]].

81:6.20 7. Effectiveness of mechanical devices. The progress of civilization is directly related to the development and possession of tools, machines, and channels of distribution. Improved tools, ingenious and efficient machines, determine the survival of contending groups in the arena of advancing civilization.

81:6.20 7. ''Effectiveness of mechanical devices''. The [[progress]] of [[civilization]] is directly related to the [[development]] and [[possession]] of [[tools]], [[machines]], and channels of [[distribution]]. Improved tools, ingenious and [[efficient]] [[machines]], determine the [[survival]] of contending [[groups]] in the arena of advancing [[civilization]].

81:6.21 In the early days the only energy applied to land cultivation was man power. It was a long struggle to substitute oxen for men since this threw men out of employment. Latterly, machines have begun to displace men, and every such advance is directly contributory to the progress of society because it liberates man power for the accomplishment of more valuable tasks.

81:6.21 In the early days the only [[energy]] applied to [[land]] cultivation was man power. It was a long [[struggle]] to substitute oxen for men since this threw men out of employment. Latterly, [[machines]] have begun to displace men, and every such advance is directly contributory to the [[progress]] of [[society]] because it [[liberates]] man power for the accomplishment of more valuable tasks.

81:6.22 Science, guided by wisdom, may become man's great social liberator. A mechanical age can prove disastrous only to a nation whose intellectual level is too low to discover those wise methods and sound techniques for successfully adjusting to the transition difficulties arising from the sudden loss of employment by large numbers consequent upon the too rapid invention of new types of laborsaving machinery.

81:6.22 [[Science]], guided by [[wisdom]], may become man's great social [[liberator]]. A [[mechanical]] age can prove disastrous only to a nation whose [[intellectual]] level is too low to [[discover]] those [[wise]] [[methods]] and sound [[techniques]] for successfully [[adjusting]] to the [[transition]] difficulties arising from the sudden loss of employment by large numbers consequent upon the too rapid [[invention]] of new types of laborsaving [[machinery]].

81:6.23 8. Character of torchbearers. Social inheritance enables man to stand on the shoulders of all who have preceded him, and who have contributed aught to the sum of culture and knowledge. In this work of passing on the cultural torch to the next generation, the home will ever be the basic institution. The play and social life comes next, with the school last but equally indispensable in a complex and highly organized society.

81:6.23 8. ''Character of torchbearers''. [[Social]] inheritance enables man to stand on the shoulders of all who have preceded him, and who have [[contributed]] aught to the sum of [[culture]] and [[knowledge]]. In this [[work]] of passing on the cultural torch to the next [[generation]], the [[home]] will ever be the basic [[institution]]. The [[play]] and [[social]] life comes next, with the school last but equally indispensable in a [[complex]] and highly [[organized]] [[society]].

81:6.24 Insects are born fully educated and equipped for life—indeed, a very narrow and purely instinctive existence. The human baby is born without an education; therefore man possesses the power, by controlling the educational training of the younger generation, greatly to modify the evolutionary course of civilization.

81:6.24 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insects Insects] are [[born]] fully educated and equipped for life—indeed, a very narrow and [[purely]] [[instinctive]] [[existence]]. The human baby is born without an [[education]]; therefore man possesses the [[power]], by controlling the educational [[training]] of the younger [[generation]], greatly to [[modify]] the [[evolutionary]] [[course]] of [[civilization]].

81:6.25 The greatest twentieth-century influences contributing to the furtherance of civilization and the advancement of culture are the marked increase in world travel and the unparalleled improvements in methods of communication. But the improvement in education has not kept pace with the expanding social structure; neither has the modern appreciation of ethics developed in correspondence with growth along more purely intellectual and scientific lines. And modern civilization is at a standstill in spiritual development and the safeguarding of the home institution.

81:6.25 The greatest [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_Century twentieth-century] [[influences]] contributing to the furtherance of [[civilization]] and the advancement of [[culture]] are the marked increase in world [[travel]] and the unparalleled improvements in [[methods]] of [[communication]]. But the improvement in [[education]] has not kept pace with the expanding [[social]] [[structure]]; neither has the [[modern]] [[appreciation]] of [[ethics]] developed in [[correspondence]] with [[growth]] along more purely [[intellectual]] and [[scientific]] lines. And modern [[civilization]] is at a standstill in [[spiritual]] [[development]] and the safeguarding of the [[home]] [[institution]].

81:6.26 9. The racial ideals. The ideals of one generation carve out the channels of destiny for immediate posterity. The quality of the social torchbearers will determine whether civilization goes forward or backward. The homes, churches, and schools of one generation predetermine the character trend of the succeeding generation. The moral and spiritual momentum of a race or a nation largely determines the cultural velocity of that civilization.

81:6.26 9. ''The racial ideals''. The [[ideals]] of one [[generation]] carve out the [[channels]] of [[destiny]] for immediate posterity. The [[quality]] of the social torchbearers will determine whether [[civilization]] goes forward or backward. The [[homes]], churches, and schools of one [[generation]] predetermine the [[character]] [[trend]] of the [[succeeding]] [[generation]]. The [[moral]] and [[spiritual]] [[momentum]] of a race or a nation largely determines the [[cultural]] [[velocity]] of that [[civilization]].

81:6.27 Ideals elevate the source of the social stream. And no stream will rise any higher than its source no matter what technique of pressure or directional control may be employed. The driving power of even the most material aspects of a cultural civilization is resident in the least material of society's achievements. Intelligence may control the mechanism of civilization, wisdom may direct it, but spiritual idealism is the energy which really uplifts and advances human culture from one level of attainment to another.

81:6.27 Ideals elevate the source of the social stream. And no stream will rise any higher than its source no matter what technique of pressure or directional control may be employed. The driving power of even the most material aspects of a cultural civilization is resident in the least material of society's achievements. Intelligence may control the mechanism of civilization, wisdom may direct it, but spiritual idealism is the energy which really uplifts and advances human culture from one level of attainment to another.