Outline of Civilization Theory - Bunmei-ron no no gairiyaku

This was the first Japanese treatise on civilization and Fukuzawa Yukichi's masterpiece. It was published in 1875 (Meiji 8). It was written when Fukuzawa began to reflect on the enlightenment-oriented attitude of "An Encouragement of Learning". He reflected on Japanese civilization historically, criticizing its stagnation as being due to an overemphasis on power, and pointed out that civilization will develop as we overcome this and promote free exchange and competition. He presented a historical view that viewed civilization in stages of development from barbarism to savagery to civilization, and while he argued that Western civilization should be the goal for the time being, he also noted that Western civilization was still in the process of development. He was particularly astonished by his observation that Western civilization was built on the invasion of other countries, but he also showed his acceptance of national egoism, saying that it is unavoidable for the sake of national independence today.

[Masaki Hirota]

"Outline of Civilization Theory" (Iwanami Bunko)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日本最初の文明論で福沢諭吉の最高傑作。1875年（明治8）刊。福沢が『学問のすゝめ』の啓蒙(けいもう)家的態度に反省を加え始めたときの作品である。日本文明を歴史的に反省して、その停滞性は権力偏重にあると批判し、それを克服して自由な交流・競合を図るなかに文明は発達すると指摘、文明を野蛮・未開・文明の発達段階論でとらえた史観を提示するとともに、さしあたっては西洋文明を目的にすべきだと説きつつも、西洋文明もまた発達途次のものであるとした。ことに西洋文明を他国の侵略のうえに築かれた存在であるとする指摘には瞠目(どうもく)させられるが、また今日では国家独立のためにやむをえぬと国家エゴイズムの容認をも示している。

［広田昌希］

『『文明論之概略』（岩波文庫）』

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