The Pendulum Theory, Slides of Culture & Society

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The Pendulum Theory

The nuts and bolts of English 12

A brief explanation:

• The Pendulum Theory is the concept that there arethree basic philosophical positions Western
• societies occupy.Societies swing from one position to the other like
• the pendulum in a grandfather clock.Manifestations (evidence) of these philosophies

can be found in the art, literature, and history ofWestern Civilization

Asceticism

• This is the belief that one can attain ahigher spiritual state by rigorous self-

discipline and denial.

Humanism

• This belief is based on the nature,dignity and interests of man and holds

that man is capable of self-fulfillmentand ethical conduct.

Traits of Asceticism

• • Authoritarian structureFatalistic
• • Low value on manPracticed self-discipline and denial
• • Strong focus on spiritualityStrong focus on afterlife and death
• Pessimistic- life on earth and mankind are evil.Earthly life is merely to be endured until the

rewards of the afterlife (Think of the Pope, theDalai Lama, Ned Flanders)

Traits of Humanism

• • High value on manFocus on government and making society better (altruism)
• • Practice and apply balanceFocus on society
• • Closeness to natureConfidence in mankind and his abilities
• • Optimistic- life on earth is good and meant to be enjoyedStrong focus on logic, reasoning and rationale (Think of Atticus Finch, Lisa Simpson)

Prec.Event Asceticism Humanism (^) Hedonism Prec.Event

Asceticism Egypt

Humanism Greece .

Hedonism Rome

Prec.Event Greek Miracle

Prec.Event .

Asceticism Egypt Middle Ages

Humanism Greece Byzantine Renaissance

Hedonism Rome Baroque

Prec.Event Greek Miracle

Crusades

Prec.Event J.C.

Asceticism Egypt Middle Ages

Humanism Greece Byzantine Renaissance Classical

Hedonism Rome Baroque

Prec.Event Greek Miracle

Crusades

Prec.Event J.C. Sci.Rev.

Asceticism Egypt Middle Ages

Victorians

Humanism Greece Byzantine Renaissance Classical(Breaks down) (^20) Decades, swingingth^ Century goes by faster and faster.

Hedonism Rome Baroque Romantic

Prec.Event Greek Miracle

Crusades

Prec.Event J.C. Sci.Rev.