Westernization and Human Welfare · Maryam Jameelah
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In this chapter (8 sections)
- uncriti~al acceptance of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution ·that mankind emerged from
- appeared on earth, it was of the simplest and lowliest types which . over the’ -ages evolved into
- creatures at the apex of which stands the human
- cultures at the apex of which stands modem
- tantamount to defying the Jaw of evolution-to rebel -against Progress, against the very law of
- only desirable but an inevitable and immutable
- Since every change is an improvement along the road to. progress, the newe$t
- Modern scientific knowledge has rendered all re-
sociology by Herbert Spencer and previous to these, to history by Hegel.
The dogma of evolutionary progress, which justifies the universal supremacy of Western civilization, rests on the following assumptions:- I. the
uncriti~al acceptance of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution ·that mankind emerged from
very lowly animal origins, that when life first
appeared on earth, it was of the simplest and lowliest types which . over the’ -ages evolved into
more and more complex and highly developed
creatures at the apex of which stands the human
race.
- that the doctrine of evolu~onary progress is equally valid when applied to human. society which has emerged from the most primitive level· to ever more and more complex and highly developed-
cultures at the apex of which stands modem
We!ltern civilization.
- therefore, to defy modern Western civilization is
tantamount to defying the Jaw of evolution-to rebel -against Progress, against the very law of
nature itself. The progress from the primitive to ever more highly-advanced .civilizations is not
only desirable but an inevitable and immutable
law of llatUre.
Since every change is an improvement along the road to. progress, the newe$t
is always the best and any attempt to defend 9lder or previously established standards means retrogression to a more backward existence. 4.
Modern scientific knowledge has rendered all re-
ligions based on absolute transcendental values and