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What does Spengler mean when he defines civilization as organic?

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Final answer:

Spengler, reflecting Durkheim's sociological perspective, suggests that as society matures, it becomes more like a living organism with specialized, interdependent parts, transitioning from mechanical to organic solidarity. This represents a complex social system where diverse roles coexist, underpinned by laws focused on restitution rather than revenge.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Spengler defines civilization as organic, he is aligning with the sociological perspective of Émile Durkheim, who viewed society in terms of a living organism with interrelated and interdependent parts that function together for overall stability and health. Similar to organs in a biological entity, each element in a society has a role that contributes to its survival and efficiency.

As industrial societies evolve, they transition from mechanical solidarity, where social order relies on shared values and common behaviors, to organic solidarity, which is based on the interdependence deriving from the specialization of work and the diversity of roles within the complex social structure. Durkheim believed that this specialization in capitalist societies enables individuals with differing values to coexist, moving towards laws that are governed by restitution, upholding formalized social morals rather than seeking retribution. The shift to organic solidarity reflects a more intricate and differentiated social fabric, analogous to a more mature and developed biological organism.

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