[Misanthropic effects of civilization]

Abstract

Increase of cool distance in social relations entails not only higher consciousness of human being but also a shift from primary ingenuous emotional spontaneity of behavior to intellectually controlled thinking and striving. With progress of civilisation, social conformity is dissolving. That causes a clash between contradictory impulses: unruly urge for freedom and independence on the one hand, and insatiable yearning for harmonic community, that means, for imperturbable warm-hearted human relations on the other. In the same measure as modern men are growing unable to endure those restrictions which are unavoidable in every society, hostile motions are obstructing formation and maintenance of durable confidential contacts. In the end, estrangement and, at last, total disintegration of social structures will be conjured up.