[Aquinasfan]

Civilization is very much an artificial construct.

Still not sure what you mean by that.

[ClearCase_guy]

It's the difference between "The Lord of the Flies" and the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1783.

Man in a state of nature is uncontrolled, violent, and selfish. But in an advanced society, we establish rules and enforcement mechanisms that create a more harmonious environment in which to live. We make it. It's not something that springs out of thin air. It's a construct.