Malcolm Muggeridge’s Western Civilization: To Be or Not to Be? Article Critique Example

I. Identification of work

The work of Muggeridge specifically introduces the creation of a new culture based on the capacity of humans to understand the existence of a supreme being. Through the years of history, he noted that humans believed in a supreme being, however, at the dawn of modernization, the belief about a God has slowly diminished specifically because of the modern culture that the modern society is introduced to. The amalgamation of different cultures coming together has practically made it easier for the new society to set aside the recognition of an existing God. Nevertheless, the proofs for his existence are endless. The creation, the living nature and the world that thrives in the beauty of designed creatures specifically give a sense of indication on how practically factual it is to trust that God indeed is existing. In his writing Muggerudge tried to point out that his belief of a God is strong enough and is even strengthened by the facts and the proofs he sees around him.

II. Summary of Major Ideas

Overall, Muggeridge pointed out that the Western Civilization need not leave the basis of their being, and that even amidst modernization, they should be able to understand that an existing God is proven by the different elements of life and nature that they see around them. Understandably, he tries to impose to his readers that it is but natural to find a reason to believe in a God who exists. He insists that being able to believe in an existing God gives one’s life a more meaningful purpose.

III. Critical Evaluation of Work

The arguments of Muggeridge are strong enough to provide a good sense of defining the existence of a God who is able to present his being through his creations. Relatively, it could be realized that somehow, it is through the proofs he represented that the conviction with regards an existing supreme being is specifically reliable especially that it is supported by existing creations that prove the excellence of an existing creator.

IV. Application of Major Ideas

Although several philosophical claims impose that there is no God, the arguments of Muggeridge regarding the Supreme Being he believes in are obviously valid as they do pertain to what the eyes see and what the human brain is able to conceive and observe. Through this, it is understood that God, even though many argue about his being and the truth behind his existence, is indeed a ‘persona’ that is recognized in the past. The modernization of the world need not overthrow such belief as the proofs about him and his existence are endless hence should not be questioned even by the supposedly most intellectual men of the western culture. Throughout the world, it could be understood that God’s presence could be realized. However, it could be that the current situations brought about by globalization and modernization such as poverty, crimes and social chaos that makes it easier for humans to accept that there is no God, because if there is then perhaps he would not let these things happen. Nevertheless, the hope of an existing God, as per defined by Muggeridge, should be seen through the eyes of goodness even amidst the existence of badness all over the world.