Clash of Civilizations vs. Illusion to Insight:

Reality of Division and the Possibility of Unity

Introduction

Human civilization has always been pulled between two opposing forces — division and unity.

On one hand, people take pride in their tribe, nation, language, and religion, setting themselves apart from others.

On the other hand, humans are social beings by nature — they seek cooperation, love, and justice.
 

These two tendencies are reflected in two major philosophical approaches:

1. Illusion to Insight – a vision of overcoming divisions and building a unified human society.

2. Samuel P. Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations – the belief that civilizational divisions are almost inevitable and we must be prepared for conflict.

Here we will explore these two approaches through the lens of history, sociology, and philosophy, and discuss which path might be more effective for the future of humanity.

Historical Background of Civilizational Divisions

Throughout history, humans have fought to protect their identity.

• The first city-states in Mesopotamia and Egypt were built to protect resources and ensure security.

• The Greek city-states (Athens, Sparta) saw themselves as separate civilizations and often fought wars.

• The Roman Empire created unity through its laws and language, laying the foundation for Western civilization, but after its fall, Europe became more divided.

History shows that civilizations progress through both conflict and cooperation. Huntington’s ideas grow from this reality.
 

Huntington’s Perspective: Accepting Conflict
 

Samuel P. Huntington’s core arguments are:

• The end of the Cold War did not end the world’s primary divisions.

• Future conflicts will be between civilizations — Western, Islamic, Hindu, Confucian, Slavic-Orthodox, etc.

• These divisions are not just political but also deeply cultural and religious.

• Therefore, the West must protect its identity and maintain a balance of power with other civilizations.

Critics argue that this view increases tensions, but supporters see it as a realistic warning.
 

“Illusion to Insight”: Dream of Rising Above Division

“Illusion to Insight” takes a completely different approach:

• It argues that divisions are born from false beliefs, ignorance, fear, and the greed for power.

• Through true education, moral conscience, and understanding the “language of the Creator,” humans can escape this illusion.

• The ultimate goal is a humane, global society free from narrow religious, ethnic, and civilizational barriers.

This is a moral revolution — seeking unity not through external force but through inner transformation.
 

Sociological Analysis

Sociologists say that identity is a fundamental part of human life.

• Émile Durkheim showed that religion and rituals form the basis of social cohesion.

• Max Weber explained how religious beliefs shape even economic behavior.
 

Huntington builds on this by saying civilizational identity is so deep that it cannot easily disappear.

In contrast, “Illusion to Insight” believes that with moral awakening and understanding of universal truth, humans can break the walls of narrow identity.

Real-World Examples

1. European Union

• 27 countries, many languages and cultures — yet they have built a political and economic union.

• This proves that unity is possible if there is shared interest and commitment to justice.

2. Middle East Conflicts

• Ongoing wars fueled by religious divisions and political interests.

• This supports Huntington’s thesis that civilizational conflicts do not easily go away.

3. Climate Crisis and Global Cooperation

• Nations are increasingly coming together to fight climate change.

• This shows that humanity can transcend borders and identities when the threat is global.
 

Philosophical Differences

Conclusion

The future of humanity will depend on which philosophy we choose to follow.

• If we only prepare for conflict as Huntington suggests, divisions may deepen.

• If we only dream of unity without accepting reality, disappointment may follow.

The path forward must be:

Recognize Huntington’s realism, but walk toward the light of “Illusion to Insight” to spark an inner moral revolution.

Only then can we truly build a unified human society.