Toynbee, Arnold J.

Arnold J. Toynbee was a British historian and philosopher best known for his study of civilizations. He believed societies rise and fall in patterns driven by their responses to challenges—those that adapt and innovate tend to thrive, while those that fail resist change decline. His most famous work, "A Study of History," explores these cycles across different cultures over centuries. Toynbee's ideas emphasize moral and cultural effort as key to a civilization's success, offering a broad perspective on historical development and the factors that influence societal survival and growth.