PETER Viereck once defined barbarism as "blindness to the standards of conduct which civilization has over imposed on human nature".
.
Civilization is less about scientific inventions and technological advancement and their concomitant enhancement of the quality of life for the generality of humanity.
.
It is more about what the ancient Greek writers call, "taming of the savageness of man and making gentle the life of this world". The savageness of man is tamed by moral and ethical restraints found on the concept of justice, individual worth and personal equality. Any behaviour not restrained by these ideals is barbarism.
.
So, barbarism does not mean lack of knowledge, wealth or material efficiency. It is psychological, ethical and moral.
.
Therefore, it is possible to strut around in Western tailored designer suit or expensive, exquisitely, tailored agbada and spout the Queen's English, and still, be a barbarian.
Raji Fashola is doing really well for Lagos State presently but I honestly hope he does more for things to be better.