Shahab Sabahi
Energy and Environment for Development – Policy Analysis Research Group
What we discussed in my earlier post “progress” on October 23rd 2011and in the social scientists group, briefly covered origins for the idea of progress and its implication for society development. Similar lines of inquiry might be pursued through other sociological literature, with the result of showing case studies that attempt to explain society, and particularly social advance. What was missed, explicit definition for the significant and essential characteristic of human beings, for striving after the accomplishment of certain life-purposes (E. Kant).. Such terms as "struggle," "conflict," "survival," and "adaptation stand for legitimate and highly important concepts in social theory, but concepts nevertheless which can give us no clue to the true nature of human progress.
The definition of progress does not imply continuous, uninterrupted advance along a smooth path, but rather the halting, infrequent lunges forward which the actual page of history discloses (B. Woods). It is possible to assume an attitude on the subject of human evolution and denying all significance to judgments of better or worse, passed on human life conditions in different ages. No matter which standards or codes picked, the concept of social valuations is universal, and, indeed inevitable. It is decidedly worth while that they should be founded, not on narrow interests or artificial conceptions of life, but on a survey of the largest horizon of truth about humanity which it is possible
In contrast to the prevailing original idea of gradual and continuous progress, the orthodox idea of cycles of change existed in the fabric of the philosophies of east and their perceptions of progress. It means regular succession of changes seen in the movements of perfect bodies the return of the seasons, the course of growth and decay in the animal and vegetable world, as well as by periods of degeneration and decline visible in the history of nation. This idea also could survive long and worked well in that part of the world. (Fukuyama
In social level, progress is essentially an idea of value and teleological idea (Flint
However one may still argue that with separating the process from the value judgment, the element of subjectivity appears which it may misguide societies toward a sound direction. The counter argument is “Societies, whose values have survived over the course of history, can set a series of values which suit and serve their space and time (context) as they have done”. This standpoint may fall short when the value judgment is supposed to be taken in a collective global scale (globalization). The problem lies in reconciling a standard of human values, which is valid not because it corresponds to a social actuality, but to a social need with that other dominant conception. So remote the global society ideal of life may be!
A great deal of efforts has been made by social scientists to develop a universal framework to explain the conditions of human development, though this universal framework is inconsistent where the value judgments, ethics and priorities are at play. As Bury highlighted, progress itself, does not suggest its values as a doctrine. So in social level, there may not be a supreme object of action toward the union of human thoughts.
Progress is the among the most opaque of concepts: value loaded and very, very abstract. From your representation, it appears you are referring to progress as it was first used in the 18th century, became a key rationalization for political and economic policy during the 19th and first half of the 20th century, and has been subject to growing criticism ever since. Of course, you are referring to the concept of progress that was adopted by the revolutionary middle classes during the 18th and early 19th centuries, acquired the status of a universal standard of value for judging political and social programs as well as civilizations, and is now besieged by the concepts of progress held dear by a growing number of economic, political and ideological competitors of classical industrial capitalist political economy.
ReplyDeleteYes, a value in a relativistic universe.
ReplyDeleteVictor and Barry.........What may be the chief drivers and motives behind "progress", in sociaties, school of thoughts, and ideologies, in our days?
ReplyDeleteShould we think over our values and re-define them?
The idea of progress has an evolutionary and cultural base through which human scientific understanding and technological capacity are synergistically and strategically reinforced to become the driving forces of "what we may call progress" at a certain point in space over time.
ReplyDelete"Inevitably the concept of progress, as a primary idea, was fundamental for society's freedom, democracy and technological advancements (particularly in the west world)... The idea supported the development of reasoning and rationale and also free-market, social spending, innovation and investments." You have presented most of the answers to your question in your original query. Values are products of social organization, mostly but not exclusively of modes of production and of political systems. Also as the fundamental conditions of individual and collective judgement of possible actions, values are linch-pin of the modes of production and social-political organization of societies. Values then are the products and the preservers of social systems.
ReplyDeleteNow to your next question: we certainly should reflect on the failure of those engines, but more importantly on the various and sundry forces that are competing for the authority and legitimacy that has been partially lost by the decay of what has been till recently the most dominant and dominating economic, political and cultural system in the world. As social scientists we should be particularly aware of the large margin of error intentional and innocent implicit in the subjective economic, political and cultural objectives of the individual competitors for authority and legitimacy.
The current crisis is much more fraught than similar cases in the past. We are witnessing serious economic collapse, potentially and actually deadly environmental degradation, and an array of technologies that potentially endanger large portions of the human race if not all of mankind. Paradoxically, given the size and contemporary condition of most of the human race it is clear that it can only survive by way of development of effective artificial means to adapt to or change the projected changes in the conditions for human existence, which means the expansion of natural scientific research and development of new relevant technologies. It also means on the one hand more intelligent regulation of human practices, and on the other an avoidance of the destructive potential of aggressive competition between militant antagonists. We should also keep in mind that the kind of creativity that is needed and will be needed in the near future only flourishes in an environment of free inquiry, a condition that is very difficult to reconcile with regulation.
You will notice that no particular value system has been offered, but rather a list of operations and policies for minimizing human suffering and maximizing survival. Given the bad record of humankind for intelligent revolutionary reform and the stringent conditions we currently face I'm not very optimistic about our success in our digging out of the pit we've made ourselves.
true....it has evolutionary and cultural bases and depends on time and space (context)
ReplyDeleteYes victor, me either.......and what you point out "..policies for minimizing human suffering and maximizing survival.", may bring another fundamental question to the fore, "What does the concept of being alive mean, just SURVIVING or creating QUALITY of life?".....Fascinating to think over different cultures and their world-view and strategies
ReplyDeleteIn the broad global context discussed here, I think it is important to note that "progress" is a concept that encompasses a hope, optimism and reasoning based on a belief in that particular human ideal of "free will."
ReplyDeleteProgress is only possible if you believe that the individual has the power to take destiny in his/her hand and make of it what he/she desires. There is no progress in a deterministic or fatalist universe. There is change, but change without purpose is not progress, at best it is evolution.
The belief in free will is an act of faith and for those who accept and act on that faith -- progress becomes a possibility. I say a "possibility" because there are no guarantees, but there is "HOPE." I guess this is the most any of us can expect -- a chance.