Crisis in Civilization | Tagore's opinion on Western Civilization

Crisis in Civilization | Tagore's opinion on Western Civilization

Before going to Tagore's opinion on Western Civilization of “Crisis in Civilization”, let’s go through the short questions and answers of the text.

Q 1: What was Rabindranath Tagore's approach to Western civilization?

Answer: Rabindranath Tagore believed that Western civilization had lost its spirituality and became highly materialistic and personal. He considered it a cause of imbalance and inequality in society.

Q 2: How did Rabindranath Tagore see the development of science and technology in Western civilization?

Answer: Tagore described the excessive development of science and technology in Western civilization as weakening the relationship between humanity and nature. He said that it has pushed the environment and humanity on the path of aggression.

Q 3: What did Rabindranath Tagore criticize the Western education system?

Answer: Tagore criticized the Western education system and said that it only emphasizes earning knowledge, while humanity ignores the development of morality and inter-relations.

Q 4: Tagore believed what should be the main objective of education?

Answer: Tagore believed that the main objective of education should be the creation of morality, sympathy and national unity, not only the development of expertise.

Q 5: Rabindranath Tagore indicated in Western civilization to neglect the aspect?

Answer: He indicated neglect of spiritual and cultural evaluation in Western civilization. He believed that there is a lack of balance in civilization based on materialism only.

Q 6: What kind of approach did Rabindranath Tagore support for development?

Answer: Tagore supported a balanced approach that includes science, art and spirituality. He emphasized the consolidation of all these aspects for the welfare of society and nation.

Q 7: Why did Rabindranath Tagore criticize the materialistic view of Western civilization?

Answer: He criticized because the materialistic approach gave rise to inequality and socio-economic inequality in the society. This approach neglects human sensibilities and cultural values.

Q 8: Why did Rabindranath Tagore underline the importance of art and culture?

Answer: Tagore believed that art and culture create balance and morality in human life. He emphasized the development of art and culture along with science and technology.

Q 9: Rabindranath Tagore considered what is indispensable for the development of civilization?

Answer: Tagore considered spirituality and cultural prosperity for the development of civilization as indispensable. He emphasized the harmony of science and art.

Q 10: According to Rabindranath Tagore, what should be the real purpose of civilization?

Answer: According to him, the real purpose of civilization should be the development of human values, morality and spirituality along with material development.

Q 11: Rabindranath Tagore considered which view of Western civilization is dangerous for the society?

Answer: Tagore considered the materialistic and personal view of Western civilization dangerous to the society, as it weakened spirituality and human relations.

Q 12: According to Rabindranath Tagore’s opinion why is the coordination of science and art important?

Answer: According to Tagore’s opinion, the coordination of science and art is essential for the balanced development and moral progress of the society. This balance creates overall development and intimacy in society.

Q. Rabindranath Tagore's opinion on Western Civilization as presented in “Crisis in Civilization.”

Answer: Rabindranath Tagore was one of the greatest poets in Indian literature in English. He was also one of the milestones in Bengali literature. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1913 for his poetic oeuvre, the Gitanjali. He had expressed his opinions on western civilization. He believed that the people in western civilization had lost their spiritual essence. They had become overly materialistic and individualistic.

Rabindranath Tagore pointed out that the people in western civilization had stressed a lot on the development of science and technology. The involvement in scientific technology has actually cut humanity off from nature. It has led both the environment and human beings on the path of aggressiveness. Tagore has pointed out that this was one of the flaws of western civilization. He has argued that this materialistic outlook of western civilization had created an imbalance in society. As a result, they have created inequalities in social and economic circumference.

Rabindranath Tagore also criticized the educational system of the western civilization. The educational system of western civilization paid attention to achieving more and more knowledge, instead of to the total development of a person. He believed that education should be used to create morality, empathy and interrelations within a nation instead of creating a specialist for such a single phenomenon.

Moreover, Tagore argued that western civilization had ignored the importance of spiritual and cultural evaluation. He emphasized the amalgamation of science, art and spiritual aspects. Because he believed that these aspects were very essential for the welfare of society and the nation.

In fact, the opinions of Rabindranath Tagore about western civilization are quite comprehensive and important. He emphasized the unification of the spiritual and artistic culture of a nation. His opinions can be treated as a critique of its materialism, individualism and the neglect of spiritual and cultural dimensions.

Rabindranath Tagore calls for the revelation of social value. He also emphasized the interconnectedness of all the aspects of human existence. He also asked for a balanced approach to development with the help of fine arts and technology. He advised that our development should not be overcharged with the development of science and technology, forgetting our arts and culture.

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