Each is related to a cultural technology that appeared at a certain point in time. The narrative of world history runs along those lines, explaining how our society came to be. Five Epochs of Civilization aims to present the outline of a universal history - a history suitable for all peoples, free of ethnocentric bias. It treats western ascendancy in the economic, cultural, and political life of the world as a phenomenon of the third civilization which includes not only the initial thrust of European expansion but the reaction to this. This kind of history not only illuminates the past but also suggests scenarios for the future.
Civilizations are societal entities that experience life cycles.
Each rises and falls in a somewhat predictable pattern. Knowing what happened to past civilizations at a similar stage in life cycle will therefore help to anticipate the course of today's society as it develops further. Taking that approach, the book predicts that significant change will take place in commerce and education as computer technology is applied.