The idea of Progress

What is progress? It is the idea that the world can become increasingly better in terms of science, technology, modernization, liberty, democracy, quality of life.....

What effect does this progress have on our society? Does it have a positive or a negative effect?

Do certain new technologies bring people closer together or do they alienate us?

What effect does this progress have on our culture?

The idea of progress can be defined as an improvement, a development or a change – a technical, scientific or social advance which contributes to making the world a better place.

 Examples can be:

- Scientific Progress – Medical advances, cures for illnesses, cloning, performance enhancing drugs,   genetically modified organisms.

- Technological Progress-  technologies to slow down climate change such as hybrid cars, wind turbines, solar panels, biofuel…..

advances in communication:  the internet, social media, mobile phones, video games – how      they have changed our lives and the dangers of these modern ways of communication

Social Progress or social unrest?

Changes in the quality of life - how does progress affect our society? Education, employment, equality, family life

Women's rights, human rights, minority rights ......

The idea of liberty, freedom, democracy

For each subject it is important to discuss what are the advantages and/or disadvantages of this progress. Do you really consider it to be progress?

For a deeper analysis, follow this link:

http://understandingsociety.blogspot.fr/2010/06/social-progress.html

Watch the following video.