Uncivilised

De: Subhadra Das

Narrado por: Subhadra Das

Western civilisation is a powerful brand, full of accepted wisdoms like 'knowledge is power', 'time is money', and 'justice is blind' that we rarely question. Taking cues from Greek philosophy and honed in the Enlightenment, certain notions about humanity and society grew into the tenets many of us still live by today.

But when we take a closer look at these ideas, it seems they're not all they are cracked up to be. In fact, some of them are outright lies - and we can start to ask who really benefits from them. What is the value of a scientific worldview that conjured up 'race'? Are the Western concepts of 'saving' and 'wasting' time really the best ways to live? Who are our laws actually designed to serve? And the real question: is the West as civilised as it likes to think it is?

©2023 Subhadra Das (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Reseñas de la Crítica

A witty and accessible survey of the shortcomings of western civilisation as many people imagine it (Angela Saini, author of SUPERIOR)

A vital piece of work in our challenging times that reminds us of the rich history and influences outside the West. Das writes with passion and humour to open our eyes to the history that has shaped our world (Roma Agrawal)

A stunning debut. Subhadra Das shows how a word - civilisation - became a lie. She traces how that lie was repeated and transformed in universities and museums, and how it came to be embedded in the idea of 'western' culture itself. Clearly and passionately, Uncivilised shows us how to begin to dispel such enduring untruths - with seriousness and humour in equal measure (Dan Hicks, author of THE BRUTISH MUSEUMS)