Since the beginning of its definition, the term “civilization” has been defined in numerous ways. It is nearly synonymous with the definition of culture (Wei, 2011, p. 1), perhaps leaving one in dismay to a conclusive definition and definite distinction between them. I personally believe civilizations are collectively defined through the study of humanities, as a progressive society of creative, intellectual, social and material development of a variety of different people. These studies are an essential way of understanding how we define civilization while bringing an understanding to the history and the marvels before our time. Having said that, the objective of this discussion is to distinctively define the controversial term “civilization” and elaborate its relation to the humanities.
In order to accurately define civilization it is essential to compare many numerous similarities to the word culture and draw out distinct differences. For example, they both take into aspect the way of life of a certain group of people. These include customs, traditional beliefs, habits, languages etc. (Eagleton, 2000). One may conclude that they are one in the same. However, civilization is attributed to a group of people of a much larger scale. Beginning as a product of culture, through evolution these customs, traditions, beliefs, etc. all collaborated on a more populous scale, thus developing a more advanced civilization. In the same sense, a culture being notably more discreet is attributed with certain arts, music, and literature developed within a society and collaborated by a civilization to define a broader classification. In other words, a civilization is partly defined by the progressiveness of the cultures that lie within a civilization. Progressiveness does not define civilization entirely, but plays an important role in helping one come to terms with the definition (Crozier, 1898). As a result of human ingenuity we can note the progress of one civilization to the next. Many advances in technology, forms of literature, political stability, architecture, art, and music all have laid the foundation of every civilization. In contrary to this, it is always possible to disrupt the flow of progress due to human negligence or an inexplicable act of nature. The progressiveness of a civilization can never be halted entirely, but merely reverted and then regained through human ingenuity and an understanding of humanities. An understanding of how a civilization thrived is all made possible through studies of the various creative processes that are unique to every civilization (Bishop, 2011, p. 13). Through the humanities marks the characteristics of social development and interactions of within a civilization, thus giving us more of an understanding of how a civilization is defined. It is the creative processes within the collective group of cultures that unify the soul of the civilization.
One may argue that the humanities serve no purpose in defining a civilization and will debate that the treasures left behind serve no purpose. Entitled to their own opinion they shall be, we can discern common values and beliefs through elaborate creations of that of the Egyptians magnificent tombs and their belief of the afterlife or the elaborate architectural works of architecture from the Greek civilization and their desire of knowledge. Evidence of past civilizations, from which are studied through the humanities, will ultimately narrow down the characterization of one civilization from another.
As defined in the previous context, I have elaborated on essential key components in order to accurately characterize the term of civilization with regards to the studies of humanities. Often inaccurately argued to be synonymous with culture, it is shown to include the collaboration of cultural progressiveness. Through the study of humanities we can then characterize the social, creative, and intellectual ideologies of various cultures and combine them to accurately define civilization.

Reference Page

Bishop, P. (2011). Adventures in the human spirit: Sixth edition. London: Laurence King Publishing ltd.
Crozier, J. (1898). Civilization and progress. London: Longmans Retrieved February 4th, 2013, from: http://globality.cc.stonybrook.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/no24.pdf
Eagleton, T. (2000) The idea of culture. Blackwell Retrieved Februrary 4th, 2013, from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/16192098/Eagleton-T- The-idea-of-culture-2000
Wei, R. (2011, May 28). Civilization and culture. GSJ: Global Studies Journal, 24. Retrieved February 4th, 2013, from: http://globality.cc.stonybrook.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/no24.pdf