A Critique of the Idea of Progress: Ethics, Knowledge & Evolution - Softcover

Nicholls, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1907962239 ISBN 13: 9781907962233

Publisher: 123 Books, 2011

Synopsis

The idea of progress has many dimensions. Robert Nicholls addresses the question of whether or not progress is occurring in human society. If progress is occurring what exactly is it that is progressing? Nicholls presents his own view of progress within human society and then ponders whether progress in human society is part of an evolutionary progression at a much broader scale. He presents a view in which the progress in human society is part of the progression of life on Earth.

About this title

From the Publisher

There are two mainstream views of progress in human society - either there has been degeneration from a state of primordial bliss to the exploitative world of today, or there has been a continuous progression from humble beginnings. Nicholls contends that the second of these views is obviously true, but he also has sympathy for the first view. Indeed, by separating out different 'objects' of progress Nicholls is able to claim that both of these views are correct - it depends which 'object' one is focused on. Nicholls also separates various possible 'subjects' of progress and suggests that the 'subject' of human society is part of the progression of the wider 'subject' of life on Earth.

Edition details

• Publisher: 123 Books
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1907962239
• ISBN 13: 9781907962233
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 50