Re: Communication
Yes, communication between us is certainly the basis of our development, and of our civilization. We can even philosophize across the oceans and the hours;)
When I was 15, I bought E E Doc Smith's Lensman but never finished as it was too complicated. Then, I started to read Sir Arthur's works and reading english became a pleasure.
Clarke is a humanist who'd say this: we don't need religion to understand that you don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you. Once this is understood, all the rest comes easily.
Raoul