具体描述
作 者:(美)戴蒙德;江滢 叶臻 定 价:58 出 版 社:上海译文出版社 出版日期:2011年09月01日 页 数:659 装 帧:平装 ISBN:9787532755127 ●前言两个农场的故事
●部分 现代蒙大拿
● 蒙大拿苍穹下
●第二部分过去社会
●第二章 复活节岛的薄暮
●第三章 的人类:皮特凯恩岛和汉德森岛
●第四章 旧日支配者:阿纳萨兹人和他们的邻居
●第五章 马雅文明的崩溃
●第六章 维京的前奏与赋格
●第七章 格陵兰维京社会的繁荣
●第八章 格陵兰维京社会的终曲
●第九章 另辟蹊径,开拓成功之路
●●第三部分 现代社会
●第十章 马尔萨斯在非洲:卢旺达的种族屠杀
●第十一章 一座岛屿,两个民族,两种历史:多米尼加共和国和海地
●第十二章 中国:摇摆不定的巨人
●第十三章 “开采”澳大利亚
●●第四部分 实践教训
●部分目录
内容简介
2003年,沙尘暴从内蒙古横袭整个*国大陆。2004年,南亚大海啸夺走22万条人命。2005年,卡特里娜飓风侵袭美国新奥尔良引发世纪大迁徙。21××年,地球村大崩溃?为什么复活节岛人能竖起令人惊叹的巨石人像,却无法避免森林殆尽、物种灭绝的命运?为什么同样是生活在格陵兰岛上,中世纪的维京社会渐渐走向消亡,而当地的因纽特人却延存至今?今天,一些人类社会也因面临类似的问题而生灵涂炭、家园残破,就像卢旺达和海地发生的悲剧,即使那风景如画、人间天堂般的美国蒙大拿州,也早已危机四伏。面对这一切,我们该如何抉择,才能避免自己走上崩溃之路?《崩溃:社会如何选择成败兴亡》为戴蒙德继《枪炮、病菌与钢铁》后的又一巨制,格局宏大、鞭辟入里,多有对文明悲剧的忧患之思,可谓是21世纪全人类的求生之书。 (美)戴蒙德;江滢 叶臻 贾雷德?戴蒙德(Jared Diamond),加利福尼亚大学洛杉矶分校医学院生理学教授,美国艺术与科学院、国家科学院院士,是当代少数几位探究人类社会与文明的思想家之一。戴蒙德的研究使他获奖无数,包括美国国家科学奖、美国国家地理学会伯尔奖、泰勒环境贡献奖、日本靠前环境和谐奖和麦阿瑟基金会研究基金。戴蒙德的代表作《枪炮、病菌与钢铁》探讨了人类社会不平等的起源和地理成因,获1998年美国普利策奖和英国科普图书奖。 五点框架中的很后一点涉及的是一个极具普遍意义的问题:不管所面临的问题是否与环境相关,社会该如何作出回应?即便是类似的问题,不同社会采取的回应之道往往有所不同。就拿森林退化这一问题来说,新几内亚高地、日本、蒂科皮亚岛和汤加岛等都曾遇到过,它们采用成功的森林管理方法化险为夷;相形之下,复活节岛、波利尼西亚群岛中的芒阿雷瓦及格陵兰的维京社会却因为没能找到相应对策而走向消亡。我们是如何理解这些不同的结局呢?一个社会的应对之道取决于其政治、经济、社会制度和文化价值观,这些制度和价值观影响到社会能否解决其面对的问题(或是否尝试去解决问题)。本书将从这五点框架入手来探讨过去人类社会的兴衰成败。
应该加以补充的是,正如一个社会的崩溃不一定是由气候变化、强邻在侧、友邦失势等因素造成的,环境破坏也并不一定是等
《文明的十字路口:历史的回响与未来的抉择》 序言:当文明低语时,我们能否听见? 历史的长河波澜壮阔,其中不乏辉煌的成就,也充斥着令人扼腕的衰亡。从古埃及金字塔的宏伟,到罗马帝国的扩张,再到玛雅文明的神秘消失,人类文明的兴衰更迭,如同潮起潮落,总是在重复着某种相似的模式。这些曾经屹立于世界之巅的文明,最终为何走向了没落?是天灾人祸,还是内部的腐朽?是技术的停滞,还是思想的僵化?抑或是,它们在某个关键的十字路口,做出了错误的选择,导致了最终的崩塌? 《文明的十字路口:历史的回响与未来的抉择》并非要讲述一个关于“崩溃”的悲观预言,而是试图以一种审慎而深刻的视角,去解读那些决定文明命运的“瞬间”。这些瞬间,并非突如其来的剧变,而是日积月累的征兆,是微小裂痕最终蔓延成鸿沟的转折。本书将带领读者穿越时空,深入探索不同文明在面对内部挑战与外部冲击时,所展现出的智慧与短视,所做出的取舍与放弃,以及这些选择如何塑造了它们的轨迹,最终将它们引向繁荣的顶峰,或是走向衰亡的幽谷。 我们并非沉溺于对过去的哀叹,而是希望从历史的回响中,汲取宝贵的经验与教训。每一个曾经辉煌的文明,都曾是其时代的弄潮儿,都曾面临着无数的诱惑与困境。它们在扩张、创新、治理、文化传承等多个层面所进行的探索,留下了丰富的遗产,也留下了深刻的警示。理解这些文明的“兴”与“衰”,并非为了证明历史的宿命论,而是为了更好地理解我们自身所处的时代,以及我们正在做出的选择。 本书的写作,旨在点燃读者对历史的求知欲,引发对现实的深度思考。我们相信,人类文明的未来,并非预设的剧本,而是由当下每一个个体的选择所共同谱写。通过审视过去的辉煌与暗影,我们可以更好地认识自己,认识我们所构建的社会,并最终,做出更明智的抉择,去迎接一个更具韧性与活力的未来。 第一章:文明的基石:何以兴盛? 任何文明的兴起,都绝非偶然。它们往往建立在坚实的基础之上,这些基础包括但不限于: 地理与资源优势: fertile river valleys like the Nile, Tigris-Euphrates, and Indus provided abundant food, enabling population growth and specialization. Access to trade routes, raw materials like metal ores and timber, also played a crucial role in early economic development and military strength. The Silk Road, for instance, facilitated cultural exchange and economic prosperity for numerous civilizations. 制度与治理的创新: The development of effective legal systems, centralized governments, and administrative structures were vital for maintaining order, collecting taxes, and organizing large-scale projects. Hammurabi’s Code, Roman law, and the Han Dynasty's bureaucratic system are prime examples of sophisticated governance that fostered stability and growth. 思想与文化的繁荣: The emergence of influential philosophies, religions, and artistic expressions not only provided a shared identity and moral framework but also spurred intellectual curiosity and innovation. The Axial Age, with the rise of Confucianism, Buddhism, Greek philosophy, and prophetic Judaism, profoundly shaped the course of human thought and civilization. Scientific and technological advancements, from the invention of the printing press to the development of new agricultural techniques, were often driven by these intellectual currents. 社会结构的韧性: A well-organized society with clear social hierarchies, specialized labor, and mechanisms for social mobility (even if limited) could harness the collective energy of its population effectively. The caste system in India, while rigid, provided a structured division of labor, and the guild system in medieval Europe fostered skilled craftsmanship and economic interdependence. 军事与扩张的实力: While not always the sole determinant, military prowess and the ability to defend borders or expand influence often contributed to a civilization’s survival and dominance. The disciplined legions of Rome, the Mongol cavalry, and the naval power of the British Empire are testament to this. However, excessive reliance on military expansion without addressing internal weaknesses could also be a precursor to decline. 第二章:裂痕的初现:潜藏的危机 盛世之下,往往暗流涌动。文明的衰落并非一蹴而就,而是一个渐进的过程,其潜藏的危机可能在繁荣时期便已悄然滋生: 资源枯竭与环境恶化: Overexploitation of natural resources, deforestation, soil erosion, and unsustainable agricultural practices could undermine the very foundation of a civilization. The deforestation and subsequent salinization that plagued Mesopotamia, or the potential role of drought in the decline of the Anasazi, highlight the delicate balance between human activity and the environment. 社会不平等与内部冲突: Extreme disparities in wealth and power, coupled with growing social unrest, can create deep divisions within a society, weakening its cohesion. Peasant revolts, class struggles, and the rise of powerful, self-serving elites can destabilize even the most robust states. The French Revolution, though a later phenomenon, illustrates the explosive potential of deep-seated social inequality. 制度的僵化与效率低下: As societies grow larger and more complex, their administrative and political structures can become unwieldy, bureaucratic, and resistant to change. Corruption, inefficiency, and a disconnect between the ruling class and the populace can lead to a loss of public trust and a diminished capacity to respond to challenges. The late Roman Empire's struggle with rampant bureaucracy and corruption is a classic example. 思想的保守与创新的停滞: A society that clings to outdated ideologies, rejects new ideas, or suppresses intellectual inquiry can stifle innovation and adaptability. Dogmatism, intellectual elitism, and the fear of challenging established norms can lead to a decline in scientific progress, artistic creativity, and the ability to solve new problems. The Ottoman Empire's resistance to adopting Western scientific advancements is often cited in this context. 外部压力与内部脆弱性的叠加: While external threats like invasions or natural disasters can be devastating, they often exploit existing internal weaknesses. A strong, unified civilization can withstand external pressures, but a society already fractured by internal strife or resource scarcity is far more vulnerable. The Viking raids on Anglo-Saxon England, while significant, occurred against a backdrop of internal political fragmentation. 第三章:抉择的十字路口:当文明面临考验 历史中的每一个文明,都曾在关键时刻面临着十字路口的抉择。这些抉择,或许是主动的策略调整,或许是被动的应对,它们深刻地影响了文明的未来走向。 扩张与内敛的平衡: Should a civilization prioritize outward expansion and conquest, or focus on consolidating its existing territory and resources? The Roman Empire’s relentless expansion, while initially successful, eventually stretched its resources and defenses too thin. Conversely, some civilizations that adopted a more isolationist approach might miss opportunities for growth and learning. 拥抱变革与坚守传统: When faced with new technologies, ideologies, or social structures, should a civilization adapt and integrate them, or resist and preserve its existing ways? The Meiji Restoration in Japan exemplifies a successful embrace of Western technology and political reforms to modernize the nation, while many other societies struggled to adapt. 治理的民主与集权的权衡: Should power be concentrated in the hands of a few, or distributed more broadly? The rise and fall of democratic experiments and autocratic regimes throughout history offer varied lessons on the long-term stability and responsiveness of different governance models. 文化的包容与排斥: How does a civilization interact with other cultures and peoples? Is it open to cultural exchange and assimilation, or does it prioritize cultural purity and exclusion? The multicultural success of Alexandria contrasted with the eventual collapse of empires that fostered extreme xenophobia offers different perspectives. 经济发展的可持续性: Should economic growth be pursued at any cost, or should it be balanced with environmental considerations and social equity? The long-term consequences of unchecked industrialization and resource depletion are a recurring theme in historical analysis. 第四章:回响与启示:从过往中学习 研究过去的文明,并非是为了满足猎奇心理,而是为了从中汲取智慧,洞察人类的普遍规律,并为我们当下的决策提供借鉴。 韧性:文明的生命线: The most enduring civilizations were often those that possessed a high degree of resilience – the ability to adapt, innovate, and recover from adversity. This resilience stemmed from flexible institutions, a dynamic intellectual culture, and a capacity for collective action. 警惕的信号: History is replete with warning signs that, if heeded, could have averted disaster. Ignoring signs of environmental degradation, social unrest, or political corruption proved to be a fatal flaw for many civilizations. 创新与失传: The cycle of innovation and sometimes, the loss of knowledge, is a constant. Understanding how new ideas emerged, spread, and were sometimes suppressed or forgotten can inform our efforts to foster and preserve knowledge today. 人类的普适性: Despite the vast diversity of human cultures, certain fundamental needs and challenges appear to be universal: the need for security, for meaning, for social connection, and for sustainable existence. Examining how different civilizations addressed these needs can offer profound insights into the human condition. 结语:我们能否书写新的篇章? 《文明的十字路口:历史的回响与未来的抉择》并非一部终结性的断言,而是一份诚挚的邀请。邀请读者一同踏上这段穿越时空的旅程,去倾听那些古老文明的低语,去感受它们曾经的脉搏,去审视它们在关键时刻的抉择。 我们相信,人类文明并非注定走向衰亡的宿命论。相反,正是那些在我们过去的经验中留下的教训,赋予了我们预见和规避风险的能力。每一个曾经辉煌的文明,都曾是我们探索人类潜能的先驱。它们的故事,是我们集体记忆的一部分,是地图上标注的航线,也是警示我们远离暗礁的灯塔。 在这个瞬息万变的时代,我们同样站在一个又一个的十字路口。技术革新日新月异,全球挑战层出不穷,社会结构不断重塑。我们所做的每一个选择,无论大小,都在书写着人类文明的新篇章。通过深入理解历史的回响,我们有能力做出更明智、更具远见的抉择,去构建一个更可持续、更公平、更充满活力的未来。 本书旨在唤醒我们对自身所处时代深刻的认知,鼓励我们以历史为镜,以智慧为引,共同塑造一个能够应对挑战、拥抱机遇,并最终迈向更加辉煌未来的文明。因为,文明的命运,终究掌握在我们自己手中。