Social progress is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon.For the first time seriously to the fore in the second half of the XVIII century.The initial development of the concept of social progress belongs to the French researchers Turgot and Condorcet.They first tried to identify the criteria for social progress.The determination of these criteria, however, is a rather complicated task.
concept and structure of social progress
Progress in the first place is a development that is characterized by the transition from the less perfect to the more perfect forms, from lowest to highest.The whole history of the world is characterized by this forward movement.
notion of social progress includes one important feature.It consists in the fact that changes in society are characterized not so much quantitative as qualitative changes.In addition, the changes taking place in society is diverse, which defines the criteria of social progress.Determination of the time, which should happen in a qualitative leap in the development of society, prepared by the entire preceding course of history.
structure of social progress includes subjective and objective elements.The objective component is the material relations between people, the productive forces and relations.The subjective element - a human activity aimed at achieving the goals consciously.
approaches to the definition of criteria of social progress
How to define criteria of social progress?This is the least unambiguous question of social philosophy.This situation is determined, first of all, the complexity of the society.There were and there are different views as to what are the criteria of social progress.Determination tried to Hegel, who identified progress with the development of consciousness and freedom.The whole story, in his opinion - the progressive, progressive development of society.
Another point of view belongs to Karl Marx, who at first withdrawal plan objective element of social progress, ie the growth of the productive forces of society, the productivity of labor.In contrast to this view, NABerdyaev believed measure the progress of society religious aspects.Progress, in his opinion, there is in the higher realms, and is peculiar only to human society, as in nature there is only evolution.
modern view
To date, identify several basic criteria of social progress, depending on the scientific approach.In the first place the development of material production is included in the criteria of social progress.The definition of this aspect characterizes the changes in all other areas of society.But there is another approach that person and its position in society are put at the forefront.The progress of society, thus, determined by the degree of economic, social and political emancipation of man.This includes the individual satisfaction with their financial situation, the state of the physical and social health.One of the most revealing indicators of the progress of society is the average length of human life.Finally, the criterion of social progress is also called the degree of social freedom, that is, the satisfaction of the law.
