This article explores whether it is possible to compare civilizations one with another; that is, whether one can construct some neutral and objective framework in terms of which we could establish in what respects one civilization might deserve to be ranked more highly than its competitors. The author states that, in addressing the idea of an objective framework for evaluating civilizations, we are also addressing the problem of relativism--the problem of whether good and bad, better and worse, in this or in that respect, can be applied to civilizations or cultures taken as a whole. He proposes that, in addition to morality, material well-being, and happiness, we accept also "degree of conduciveness to the leading of meaningful lives" as a factor to be weighed in the balance when evaluating civilizations. Rather than explore the results of applying this idea to the actual task of weighing one civilization against another, the author instead examines the somewhat easier task of weighing developments in institutions of higher education in America today. (Contains 1 note.)