Synopsis
Excerpt from The Idea of Progress
The belief in Progress, not as an ideal but as an indisputable fact, not as a task for humanity but as a law of Nature, has been the working faith of the West for about a hundred and fifty years. Some would have us believe that it is a long neglected part of the Christian revelation, others that it is a modern discovery. The ancient Pagans, we are told, put their golden age in the past; we put ours in the future. The Greeks prided themselves on being the degenerate descendants of gods, we on being the very creditable descendants of monkeys. The Romans endeavoured to preserve the wisdom and virtue of the past, we to anticipate the wisdom and virtue of the future. This, however, is an exaggeration. The theory of progress and the theory of decadence are equally natural, and have in fact been held concurrently wherever men have speculated about their origin, their present condition, and their future prospects. Among the Jews the theory of decadence derived an inspired authority from Genesis, but the story of the Fall had very little influence upon the thought of that tenaciously optimistic race. Among the Greeks, who had the melancholy as well as the buoyancy of youth, it was authorized by Hesiod, whose scheme of retrogression, from the age of gold to the age of iron, was never forgotten in antiquity. Sophocles, in a well-known chorus imitated by Bacon, holds that the best fate for men is 'not to be born, or being born to die'.
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The Idea of Progress (Classic Reprint)
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Paperback. Etat : New. Print on Demand. This book delves into the historical concept of progress, tracing its evolution from ancient civilizations to the 20th century. The author explores how the idea of progress has been interpreted and utilized by different cultures throughout history, examining both optimistic and pessimistic perspectives. The book delves into the philosophies of figures like Hegel, Comte, and Darwin, and how their ideas have shaped the understanding of progress. It challenges the notion of progress as a universal law, arguing that history is not a linear progression but rather a complex interplay of advancements and regressions. The author critiques the association of progress with technological advancement and material wealth, questioning whether these developments truly represent an improvement in human nature. The book invites readers to contemplate the meaning of progress and to consider alternative perspectives on human development, emphasizing the importance of spiritual and ethical growth. Ultimately, this book encourages a reevaluation of our understanding of progress, urging readers to seek a more holistic and meaningful definition that encompasses both material and spiritual well-being. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book. print-on-demand item. N° de réf. du vendeur 9781330916711_0
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