…any complex society characterized by urban development, social stratification, a form of government and symbolic systems of communication such as writing.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
We called ourselves civilized long before there was any evidence that we were civilized. I still don’t think we’ve reached civilization yet. Civilization should mean that no one has to kill another person, steal from another person, just to eat. Civilization should mean that no one goes without shelter or medical care unless they refuse to be sheltered or to seek care.
Until we reach that demonstrably low bar, that members of our society need not fear for their lives and property being taken from them to feed some other needy person, then we are not civilized and it is false advertising to suggest otherwise.
