Violence is a remnant of primitive society's culture. In early ages, people knew only one way to settle affairs: violence. It is said that during the Stone Age, two people in a quarrel threw stones at each other in anger. The stones collided, producing sparks. The men forgot their quarrel and pondered the phenomenon. From this, they discovered something hidden in stones—light separate from the stones. Stones are hard, while the spark was soft. Such events initiated the study of natural laws. Over thousands of years, humans discovered that laws hidden in nature could be harnessed for benefit. The discovery of steam power exemplifies this unfolding potential. Similarly, cars and airplanes were built using natural resources. Thus, matter was converted into technology. This process continued uninterrupted, involving a large portion of humanity. A long time elapsed between the invention of the wheel and modern communication. These discoveries and inventions contributed enormously to modern civilization, completely changing human lifestyle.
The Comforts of Modern Civilization
The greatest characteristic of civilization is that it has enabled humans to leave behind hardships and lead comfortable lives. Modern cities provide amenities and environments for such living. Modern civilization offers comfortable travel, convenient communication, and well-equipped institutions. In short, all life activities have become comfortable and convenient.
War and Violence: Obsolete in the Age of Civilization
The developments of civilization have facilitated modern living. Whether at home, in the office, or traveling, people enjoy comfort. A civilized life today means a comfortable life. The age of civilization has potentially ended the age of war. War and violence are as irrelevant as trying to light a fire by knocking two stones together instead of using a matchstick or lighter. No one lights a fire in an obsolete way today. Yet, war and violence are still regularly opted for, despite being uncivilized options relevant only in primitive ages. Why is this so?
The Missing Art of Difference Management
The reason is that while humans successfully converted matter into technology, they failed to discover the art of difference management. This art remains underdeveloped. Difference is a part of nature and serves as a booster for intellectual development. Without differences, there would be no intellectual growth. Therefore, difference is not evil. The real problem arises when we cannot manage differences. What is the art of difference management? It is settling differences through peaceful negotiations and applying reason to issues of difference, just as was applied to discoveries of nature. Difference has always been part of human life. In primitive ages, people tried to settle it through confrontation and fighting—a barbaric way. The civilized way is to apply reason and settle differences through peaceful dialogue.
The Incomplete Age of Civilization
The age of civilization is still incomplete. So far, it has only offered material comforts. Something yet to be achieved is peacefully settling differences in a civilized manner. On the day when people learn to settle differences peacefully, the age of civilization will have reached its culmination.
Authored by: Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
