It is very important to understand the direction in which our society is moving, constantly changing and developing. This article is dedicated to this purpose. We will try to determine the criteria for social progress and answer a number of other questions. First of all, let's figure out what progress and regression are.
Consideration of concepts
Social progress is a direction of development that is characterized by a progressive movement from simple and lower forms of organization of society to more complex, higher ones. The opposite of this term is the concept of “regression”, that is, the reverse movement - a return to outdated relationships and structures, degradation, the direction of development from higher to lower.
The history of the formation of ideas about the measures of progress
The problem of criteria for social progress has long worried thinkers. The idea that changes in society are precisely a progressive process appeared in ancient times, but finally took shape in the works of M. Condorcet, A. Turgot and other French enlighteners. These thinkers saw the criteria for social progress in the development of reason and the spread of education. This optimistic view of the historical process gave way in the 19th century to other, more complex concepts. For example, Marxism sees progress in changing socio-economic formations from lower to higher. Some thinkers believed that the consequence of moving forward is the growing heterogeneity of society and the complication of its structure.
In modern science, historical progress is usually associated with a process such as modernization, that is, the transition of society from agrarian to industrial and further to post-industrial.
Scientists who do not share the idea of progress
Not everyone accepts the idea of progress. Some thinkers reject it in relation to social development - either predicting the “end of history”, or saying that societies develop independently of each other, multilinearly, in parallel (O. Spengler, N.Ya. Danilevsky, A. Toynbee), or considering history as a cycle with a series of recessions and ascents (G. Vico).
For example, Arthur Toynbee identified 21 civilizations, each of which has distinct phases of formation: emergence, growth, breakdown, decline and, finally, decay. Thus, he abandoned the thesis about the unity of the historical process.
O. Spengler wrote about the “decline of Europe.” “Anti-progressism” is especially vivid in the works of K. Popper. In his view, progress is a movement towards a specific goal, which is possible only for a specific person, but not for history as a whole. The latter can be considered both as a movement forward and as a regression.
Progress and regression are not mutually exclusive concepts
The progressive development of society, obviously, in certain periods does not exclude regression, return movements, civilizational dead ends, even breakdowns. And it is hardly possible to talk about a uniquely linear development of humanity, since both leaps forward and setbacks are clearly observed. Progress in a certain area, in addition, can be the cause of decline or regression in another. Thus, the development of technology, technology, and tools is a clear indication of progress in the economy, but it was precisely this that brought our world to the brink of a global environmental catastrophe, depleting the Earth’s natural reserves.
Society today is also accused of a family crisis, a decline in morality, and lack of spirituality. The price of progress is high: for example, the conveniences of city life are accompanied by various “urbanization diseases.” Sometimes the negative consequences of progress are so obvious that a natural question arises as to whether it can even be said that humanity is moving forward.
Criteria for social progress: history
The question of the measures of social development is also relevant. There is also no agreement in the scientific world here. French enlighteners saw such a criterion in the development of reason, in increasing the degree of rationality of social organization. Some other thinkers and scientists (for example, A. Saint-Simon) believed that the highest criterion of social progress is the state of morality in society, approaching early Christian ideals.
G. Hegel had a different opinion. He connected progress with freedom - the degree of its awareness by people. Marxism also proposed its own criterion of development: according to supporters of this concept, it consists in the growth of productive forces.
K. Marx, seeing the essence of development in man's increasing subordination of the forces of nature, reduced progress in general to a more specific one - in the production sphere. He considered only those social relations to be conducive to development, which at a given stage correspond to the level of productive forces, and also open up space for the improvement of the person himself (acting as an instrument of production).
Criteria for social development: modernity
Philosophy has subjected the criteria of social progress to careful analysis and revision. In modern social science, the applicability of many of them is disputed. The state of the economic foundation does not at all determine the nature of the development of other spheres of social life.
The goal, and not just a means of social progress, is considered to be the creation of the necessary conditions for the harmonious and comprehensive development of the individual. Consequently, the criterion of social progress is precisely the measure of freedom that society is able to provide to a person to maximize his potential. Based on the conditions created in society to satisfy the totality of the needs of the individual and his free development, the degree of progressiveness of a given system and the criteria of social progress should be assessed.
Let's summarize the information. The table below will help you understand the main criteria for social progress.
The table can be expanded to include the views of other thinkers.
There are two forms of progress in society. Let's look at them below.
Revolution
A revolution is a comprehensive or complete change in most or all aspects of society, affecting the foundations of the existing system. Until quite recently, it was regarded as a universal universal “law of transition” from one socio-economic formation to another. However, scientists could not detect any signs of a social revolution during the transition to a class system from a primitive communal one. Therefore, it was necessary to expand the concept so that it could be applied to any transition between formations, but this led to the destruction of the original semantic content of the term. And the mechanism of a real revolution could only be discovered in phenomena dating back to the era of modern times (that is, during the transition to capitalism from feudalism).
Revolution from the point of view of Marxism
Following the Marxist methodology, we can say that a social revolution means a radical social revolution that changes the structure of society and means a qualitative leap in progressive development. The deepest and most general reason for the emergence of a social revolution is the otherwise insoluble conflict between the productive forces, which are growing, and the system of social institutions and relations, which remain unchanged. The aggravation of political, economic and other contradictions in society against this background ultimately leads to revolution.
The latter is always an active political action on the part of the people; its main goal is the transfer of control of society into the hands of a new social class. The difference between revolution and evolution is that the first is considered concentrated in time, that is, it happens quickly, and the masses become its direct participants.
The dialectic of such concepts as revolution and reform seems very complex. The first, as a deeper action, most often absorbs the latter, thus the action “from below” is complemented by the activity “from above”.
Many modern scientists urge us to abandon the excessive exaggeration of the significance of social revolution in history, the idea that it is an inevitable pattern in solving historical problems, because it has not always been the dominant form determining social progress. Much more often, changes in the life of society occurred as a result of action “from above,” that is, reforms.
Reform
This reorganization, transformation, change in some aspect of social life, which does not destroy the existing foundations of the social structure, retains power in the hands of the ruling class. Thus, the understood path of step-by-step transformation of relations is contrasted with a revolution that completely sweeps away the old system and order. Marxism regarded the evolutionary process, which preserved the remnants of the past for a long time, as too painful and unacceptable for the people. Adherents of this concept believed that since reforms are carried out exclusively “from above” by forces that have power and do not want to give up it, their result will always be lower than expected: reforms are characterized by inconsistency and half-heartedness.
Underestimation of reforms
It was explained by the famous position formulated by V.I. Lenin, that reforms are “a by-product of the revolution.” Let us note: K. Marx already believed that reforms are never a consequence of the weakness of the strong, since they are brought to life precisely by the strength of the weak.
His Russian follower strengthened his denial of the possibility that the “tops” have their own incentives when starting reforms. IN AND. Lenin believed that reforms are a by-product of revolution because they represent unsuccessful attempts to dampen and weaken the revolutionary struggle. Even in cases where reforms were clearly not the result of popular protests, Soviet historians still explained them by the desire of the authorities to prevent encroachments on the existing system.
The “reform-revolution” relationship in modern social science
Over time, Russian scientists gradually freed themselves from the existing nihilism in relation to transformations through evolution, first recognizing the equivalence of revolutions and reforms, and then criticizing revolutions as a bloody, extremely ineffective path full of costs and leading to an inevitable dictatorship.
Now great reforms (that is, revolutions “from above”) are considered the same social anomalies as great revolutions. What they have in common is that these methods of resolving contradictions are opposed to the healthy, normal practice of gradual, continuous reform in a self-regulating society.
The “revolution-reform” dilemma is replaced by clarifying the relationship between reform and permanent regulation. In this context, both revolution and changes “from above” “treat” an advanced disease (the first with “surgical intervention”, the second with “therapeutic methods”), while early and constant prevention is perhaps necessary in order to ensure social progress.
Therefore, in social science today the emphasis is shifting from the “revolution-reform” antinomy to “innovation-reform”. Innovation means a one-time ordinary improvement associated with an increase in the adaptive capabilities of society in specific conditions. It is precisely this that can ensure the greatest social progress in the future.
The criteria for social progress discussed above are not unconditional. Modern science recognizes the priority of the humanities over others. However, a general criterion for social progress has not yet been established.
Social progress - the movement of society from simple and backward forms to more advanced and complex ones.
The opposite concept is regression - a return of society to already obsolete, backward forms.
Since progress involves assessing changes in society as positive or negative, it can be understood differently by different researchers, depending on the criteria of progress. These include:
development of productive forces;
development of science and technology;
increasing people's freedom;
improvement of the human mind;
moral development.
Since these criteria do not correspond, and often contradict each other, the ambiguity of social progress appears: progress in some areas of society can lead to regression in others.
In addition, progress has such a feature as inconsistency: any progressive discovery of humanity can turn against itself. For example, the discovery of nuclear energy led to the creation of the nuclear bomb.
P Progress in society can be achieved in various ways:
I .
1) revolution - a violent transition of society from one socio-political system to another, affecting most spheres of life.
Signs of revolution:
a radical change in the existing system;
affects all spheres of public life sharply;
abrupt change.
2) reform - gradual, successive transformations of individual spheres carried out by the authorities.
There are two types of reforms: progressive (beneficial for society) and regressive (having a negative impact).
Signs of reform:
a smooth change that does not affect the basics;
As a rule, it affects only one sphere of society.
II .
1) revolution - sharp, abrupt, unpredictable changes leading to qualitative transformation.
2) evolution - gradual, smooth transformations, predominantly quantitative in nature.
1.17. Multivariate development of society
Society - such a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that it is impossible to unambiguously describe and predict its development. However, in social science several types of classification of the development of societies have developed.
I. Classification of society according to the main factor of production.
1. Traditional (agrarian, pre-industrial) society. The main factor of production is land. The main product is produced in agriculture, extensive technologies dominate, non-economic coercion is widespread, and technology is underdeveloped. The social structure is unchanged, social mobility is practically absent. Religious consciousness determines all spheres of social life.
2. Industrial (industrial) society. The main factor of production is capital. The transition from manual labor to machine labor, from a traditional society to an industrial one - the industrial revolution. Mass industrial production dominates. Science and technology are developing, and they are improving industry. The social structure is changing and the possibility of changing social status appears. Religion fades into the background, individualization of consciousness occurs, and pragmatism and utilitarianism are established.
3. Post-industrial (information) society. The main factor of production is knowledge and information. The service sector and small-scale production dominate. Economic growth is determined by the growth of consumption (“consumer society”). High social mobility, the determining factor in the social structure is the middle class. Political pluralism, democratic values and the importance of the human person. The importance of spiritual values.
What is progress? The idea of regression
Progress(from Latin: “moving forward”) is a direction of development characterized by a transition from lower to higher.
Regression- movement from higher to lower, processes of degradation, return to obsolete forms and structures.
Humanity as a whole has never regressed, but its forward movement could be delayed and even stopped for a while, which is called stagnation.
Characteristics of progress
1. Inconsistency
2. Specific historical character
3. Multidimensionality
4. Nonlinear nature
5. Relativity of progress
Social progress- a global, world-historical process of the ascent of human societies from primitive states (savagery) to the heights of a civilized state, based on the highest scientific, technical, political, legal, moral and ethical achievements.
Areas of progress: economic progress, social (social progress), scientific and technological progress.
Forms of social progress:
1. Reformist (evolutionary), i.e. gradual
2. Revolutionary, i.e. spasmodic
Reforms can be economic, political, social.
There are short-term revolutions (the French Revolution of 1848, the February Revolution of 1917 in Russia, etc.) and long-term ones (“Neolithic Revolution”, “Industrial Revolution”)
The inconsistency of progress
What is the inconsistency of progress?
1) If you depict the progress of humanity graphically, you will get not an ascending straight line, but a broken line, reflecting the ups and downs, ebbs and flows in the struggle of social forces, accelerated movement forward and giant leaps back.
2) Society is a complex organism in which different “bodies” function (enterprises, associations of people, government institutions, etc.), and various processes (economic, political, spiritual, etc.) occur simultaneously. These parts of one social organism, these processes, various types of activity are interconnected and at the same time may not coincide in their development. Moreover, individual processes and changes occurring in different areas of society can be multidirectional, that is, progress in one area may be accompanied by regression in another.
Throughout history, the progress of technology is clearly visible: from stone tools to iron ones, from hand tools to machines, from the use of the muscular power of humans and animals to steam engines, electric generators, nuclear power plants, from transportation by pack animals to cars, high-speed trains, airplanes, spaceships, from wooden abacus with dominoes to powerful computers.
But the progress of technology, the development of industry, chemicalization and other changes in the field of production have led to the destruction of nature, to irreparable damage to the human environment, and to the undermining of the natural foundations of the existence of society. Thus, progress in one area was accompanied by regression in another.
3) The progress of science and technology has had ambiguous consequences. Discoveries in the field of nuclear physics made it possible not only to obtain a new source of energy, but also to create powerful atomic weapons. The use of computer technology has not only unusually expanded the possibilities of creative work, but also caused new diseases associated with long-term, continuous work at the display: visual impairment, mental disorders associated with additional mental stress.
The growth of large cities, the complication of production, the acceleration of the rhythm of life - all this has increased the load on the human body, created stress and, as a consequence, pathologies of the nervous system and vascular diseases. Along with the greatest achievements of the human spirit, the world is experiencing an erosion of cultural and spiritual values, drug addiction, alcoholism, and crime are spreading.
4) Humanity has to pay a high price for progress. The conveniences of city life are paid for by the “diseases of urbanization”: traffic fatigue, polluted air, street noise and their consequences - stress, respiratory diseases, etc.; Convenience of traveling in a car - due to congestion of city highways and traffic jams.
The idea of the cycle
The circulation of historical theory– various concepts according to which society as a whole or its individual spheres move in their development in a vicious circle from barbarism to civilization and to a new barbarism.
Progress criteria
Progress criteria
1) French enlighteners (Condorcet): development of the mind.
2) Utopian socialists (Saint-Simon, Fourier, Owen): society must adopt a form of organization that would lead to the implementation of the moral principle: all people should treat each other as brothers.
3) Schelling (1775 – 1854): gradual approach to a legal structure.
4) Hegel (1770 – 1831): as the consciousness of freedom grows, society develops progressively.
6) Marxism:
The highest and universal objective criterion of social progress is the development of productive forces, including the development of man himself. The direction of the historical process is determined by the growth and improvement of the productive forces of society, including the means of labor, the degree of man's mastery of the forces of nature, and the possibility of using them as the basis of human life. The origins of all human life activities lie in social production.
According to this criterion, those social relations are recognized as progressive, which correspond to the level of productive forces and open up the greatest scope for their development, the growth of labor productivity, and human development. Man is considered as the main thing in the productive forces, therefore their development is understood from this point of view and as the development of the wealth of human nature.
Just as it is impossible to find a general, universal criterion of progress only in social consciousness (in the development of reason, morality, consciousness of freedom), so it cannot be found in the sphere of material production (technology, economic relations). History has provided examples of countries where a high level of material production was combined with the degradation of spiritual culture.
Conclusion: The disadvantage of all attempts to solve this problem was that in all cases only one line (or one side, or one sphere) of social development was considered as a criterion. Reason, morality, science, technology, legal order, and the consciousness of freedom - all these are very important indicators, but not universal, not covering human life and society as a whole.
Universal criterion of progress
The criterion of social progress is the measure of freedom that society is able to provide to the individual, the degree of individual freedom guaranteed by society. The free development of a person in a free society also means the revelation of his truly human qualities - intellectual, creative, moral.
The development of human qualities depends on people's living conditions. The more fully the various needs of a person for food, clothing, housing, transport services, and in the spiritual field are satisfied, the more moral the relations between people become, the more accessible to a person the most diverse types of economic and political, spiritual and material activities become. The more favorable the conditions for the development of a person’s physical, intellectual, mental strength, his moral qualities, the wider the scope for the development of individual properties inherent in each individual person. The more humane the living conditions, the more opportunities there are for the development of humanity in a person: reason, morality, creative powers.
Humanity, the recognition of man as the highest value, is expressed by the word “humanism”. From the above, we can draw a conclusion about a universal criterion of social progress: that which contributes to the rise of humanism is progressive.
Integrative indicators of the progressive development of modern society
Integrative indicators of the progressive development of modern society:
1. average life expectancy;
2. child and maternal mortality;
3. level of education;
4. development of various spheres of culture;
5. interest in spiritual values;
6. health status;
7. feeling of satisfaction with life;
7. degree of respect for human rights;
Lesson 36-37
Social studies, profile level
/ The problem of social progress /
D.Z: § 15, ?? (p.154), tasks (p.154-156)
© A.I. Kolmakov
- contribute to the formation of an understanding of progress and regression in the development of society;
- develop in students the ability to carry out a comprehensive search, systematize social information on a topic, compare, analyze, draw conclusions, rationally solve cognitive and problem tasks;
- carry out individual and group educational research on social issues;
- contribute to the development of students' scientific position.
Universal learning activities
- Know: features of social progress, analyze its criteria, show the diversity and unevenness of social development processes. The inconsistency of progress.
- Be able to: carry out a comprehensive search, systematize information on a topic, draw conclusions, solve cognitive and problematic tasks.
- social progress;
- regression;
- progress criteria ;
- multivariate social development;
- historical alternative;
- progress criterion
Learning new material
- Progress and regression.
- The inconsistency of progress.
- Progress criteria.
- .
- Diversity and unevenness of social development processes.
Remember. What meaning does science give to the concept of “society”? How does the linear-stage approach to understanding society differ from the local-civilizational one?
“Progress” (lat.) - “movement from lower to higher”
- Social progress is understood as the development of humanity towards a better, more perfect state.
- The reasons for social progress are needs, during the implementation of which people change the conditions of existence and themselves.
- For regression and are characterized by: movement from higher to lower, the process of degradation, a return to obsolete forms and structures.
PROGRESS AND REGRESSION
X. Ortega y Gasset wrote about the idea of progress: “Because people allowed this idea to cloud their reason, they let go of the reins of history, lost vigilance and dexterity, and life slipped out of their hands, ceased to obey them.”
Ways of social development
PROGRESS
revolution
evolution
Evolution:
- This is one of the forms of movement, development in nature and society, based on continuous, gradual qualitative change.
- The characteristic features of evolution are: gradualism, continuity, natural validity of changes, functional integrity of change processes, organic nature of development processes.
Revolution
- This is one of the forms of movement, development in nature and society, based on a radical, sharp, abrupt transition from one qualitative state to another.
- The main features of the revolution are: the speed of change, the inorganic nature of development processes, accompanied by disruption.
Poster from the Great October Revolution
Socialist revolution
Reforms
– This is a subjective process aimed at qualitative change, transformation, reorganization of the economic, political, social and spiritual spheres of society.
The main contradictions of progress:
- The progress of mankind does not look like an ascending straight line, but like a broken line, which reflects ups and downs , periods positive changes and backward movements .
- Individual changes simultaneously occurring in society can be multidirectional: progress in one area may be accompanied by regression in another .
- Progressive shifts in one area or another often had, along with positive , also negative consequences for society.
- Accelerated progress often paid off at too high a price when sacrificed to progress entire generations of people were sacrificed .
The process of historical development of society is contradictory: both progressive and regressive changes can be found in it. "width="640" CONTRADICTION OF PROGRESS
= The process of historical development of society is contradictory: both progressive and regressive changes can be found in it.
PROGRESS CRITERIA
UNIVERSAL CRITERION
SOCIAL PROGRESS IS HUMANISM.
A. Condorcet (the criterion of progress is the development of the mind).
A. Saint-Simon (society must adopt a form of organization that would lead to implementation moral principle: all people should treat each other as brothers).
F.V. Schelling(only a gradual approach to a legal structure can serve as a criterion for establishing the historical progress of the human race).
G. Hegel (the criterion of progress is the consciousness of freedom).
Progress criteria. Philosophers
Criteria for social progress.
- Before XVII – XVIII centuries - growth of science and reason.
- I. Kant - replacing the despotism of nature with the dictates of reason.
- Philosophers XIX V. - morality in one form or another.
- K Marx - human freedom, the most important indicator of which is the level of development of the productive forces.
- Modern social scientific thought - quality of life.
DIVERSITY OF PATHS AND FORMS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Historical experience shows that under certain conditions, various options for solving pressing problems are possible, a choice of methods, forms, and paths for further development is possible, i.e. historical alternative.
DIVERSITY OF PATHS AND FORMS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
The historical process, in which general trends manifest themselves - the unity of diverse social development, creates the possibility of choice, on which the uniqueness of the paths and forms of further movement of a given country depends.
This speaks about historical responsibility those who make this choice
check yourself
1) What does the word “progress” mean?
2) How can we explain the diversity of views on progress?
3) What is the contradictory nature of social progress?
4) What criteria for progress have been put forward in the past? What are their limitations?
5) What criterion of progress can be considered universal? What are its advantages?
6) Why are the paths and forms of social development diverse?
7) What is the meaning of the expression “unity of diverse social development”?
reflection
- What did you learn?
- How?
- What have you learned?
- What difficulties did you experience?
- Was the lesson interesting?
- Sources
- Sorokina E.N. Lesson developments in social studies. Profile level: 10th grade. - M.: VAKO, 2008.
- Baranov P.A. Social studies: a complete reference book for preparing for the Unified State Exam / P.A. Baranov, A.V. Vorontsov, S. V. Shevchenko; edited by P.A. Baranova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2009.
Topic: Progress and its criteria.
Since ancient times, thinkers have pondered the question in which direction society is developing. In this lesson, an attempt was made to analyze the basic concepts of “social progress”, “regression”, “multivariate social development”, “criteria of progress”, etc. through the broader concept of “movement”.
Society is dynamic; which path is humanity taking: the path of progress or regression? People's idea of the future depends on what the answer to this question is: whether it brings people a better life or does not promise anything good.
The unity of the historical process can be traced in historical development. But at the same time, the specific paths of development of individual countries and peoples are diverse. The path of denying the unity of history can lead to complete isolation, separation from the outside world. The diversity of development cannot be denied either. Each nation has its own history, its own language, its own culture.
The progress of mankind does not look like an ascending line, but like a broken curve: upswings were followed by downturns, prosperity followed by decline, reforms were followed by counter-reforms. Progressive changes in a particular area can have both positive and negative consequences for society.
To evaluate these contradictory processes, criteria of social progress are needed. This is an increase in human freedom in relation to nature, and the level of real opportunities for the comprehensive development of man, and an increase in human happiness and goodness.
How does society develop?
This question has interested humanity since ancient times.
For analysis, the teacher offers the views of someancient thinkers.
- The ancient Greek poet Hesiod (8th–7th centuries BC) wrote that humanity moved from the best “golden” age first to the “silver” age, and then to the “iron” age, which brought wars, where evil reigned everywhere, violence, justice is violated.
- The ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle viewed history as a cyclical cycle, repeating the same stages.
- The representative of the optimistic approach was Democritus, who divided history into qualitatively different periods: past, present and future. The transition from one period to another, in his opinion, is characterized by the growth of culture and the improvement of people's lives.
Analyzing statements of ancient thinkers, students say that one can agree with the presented views of all philosophers. Indeed, there have been times in history when empires collapsed and civilizations perished. At the same time, arguments were made that the histories of local civilizations to some extent repeat each other. They also agree with the point of view. Democritus, that since ancient times, culture has been developing and human living conditions are improving.
How to understand the movement of the historical process?
For this there is the concept of “social progress”.
What do you know about social progress?
Students, based on their experience, note thatsocial progress is a direction of development characterized by a transition from lower to higher, from simple to complex. And, conversely, regression is characterized by a backward movement, a return to obsolete forms and structures, and degradation.
Next, students give examples from history. They draw attention to the fact that humanity initially lived in a primitive society, then states with their own laws gradually formed, the Middle Ages, the Modern Age, etc. It turns out that humanity goes through the same stages of economic, social, and cultural development. Despite their differences, peoples are united in their desire for happiness and a better life. Only the speed of development among peoples is different. There are countries that have taken the lead, and there are lagging countries that are catching up with more developed countries.History acts as a single process of continuous development.This similarity can be seenunity of the historical process.
But at the same time, some students give examples that there is no unity in the historical process, and the history of different states breaks up into many of their own paths of development, which are not similar to other countries. The Russians, the Chinese, the British, the French go their own way... Each nation has its own history, culture, language, and natural conditions. In these examples we observediversity of historical development.
This means that historical development combines both unity and diversity. But diversity occurs within the framework of a universal and unified historical process. Consequently, various options for solving pressing problems are possible, i.e. there is a historical alternative.
Comment on what are the ways to deny the unity of history and the diversity of development. What consequences await a country that chooses one of these paths?
So, social development includes:
- unity of the historical process,
- variety of ways and forms of human development,
- features of historical development,
- features of cultural development,
- uneven development.
Does this mean that each country is predetermined by its own development option and that it is the only possible one?
– No, there are different options for solving problems (historical alternative). For example, in 1917–1918. Russia faced an alternative: either a democratic republic or a republic of Soviets led by the Bolsheviks.
Thus, the historical process, in which general trends manifest themselves - the unity of diverse social development, creates the possibility of choice, on which the uniqueness of the paths and forms of further movement of a given country depends.
Who makes the choice on how the country will develop?
– Depending on historical conditions, these can be government officials, elites, and the masses.
After identifying subjective experience, we move directly to updating knowledge.
Is there progressive development?
Students are given a presentation prepared in advance by a student in the class. You need to look at it carefully and make a table during the presentation. After answering the question:Which thinker do you agree with and why?
Thinkers of the past and present on the understanding of progress and regression.
When discussing the views of scientists, students are asked to represent the course of history graphically. Different diagrams are depicted on the board.
For each of these graphs, examples from historical development are given.
Questions for the diagrams.
- What conclusions did you draw from working on these graphs?
- Show specific examples of the pros and cons of the social process.
You are convinced that social progress is a complex and contradictory phenomenon. It is easy to notice that almost any phenomenon in the life of society has a downside and can be ambiguously assessed from the standpoint of social progress.
With such ambiguity of change, is it possible to talk about social progress as a whole?
6. To do this, it is necessary to establish what is the general criterion of social progress. Which changes in society should be considered progressive and which should not.
The question of the criteria for progress occupied the great minds of scientists and philosophers of different eras.
- A. Condorcet and other enlighteners considered the development of the human mind to be a criterion of progress.
- Utopian socialists – the principle of the brotherhood of man.
- F. Schelling spoke about the gradual approach of humanity to a legal state structure.
- G. Hegel considered the consciousness of freedom to be the criterion of progress.
- A. Voznesensky noted that “all progress is reactionary if man collapses.”
Now that we have outlined the different views on the criteria of historical progress, consider, which perspective gives you a more reliable way to evaluate changes occurring in society.
Ultimately, students come to the conclusion that progressive development can be considered such living conditions that create as many opportunities as possible for the development of the person himself: freedom, reason, morality, creativity.
Man, his life, freedom are recognized as the highest value. In this case, we are talking about a universal criterionsocial progress: progressive is what contributes to the rise of humanity and humanism.
Appendix 3, last slide.
Tasks.
- Try to evaluate the reforms of the 60s and 70s from the standpoint of the universal criterion of progress. XIX century in Russia. Can they be called progressive? And the politics of the 80s. XX century? Give reasons for your position.
- Think about whether the activities of Peter I, Napoleon Bonaparte, P.A. Stolypin are progressive. Give reasons for your assessment.
- To which of the points of view on progress presented in the document does the position of the Florentine historian Guicciardini (1483–1540) belong: “The affairs of the past illuminate the future, for the world has always been the same: everything that is and will be, already happened in another time, the former returns, only under different names and in a different color; but not everyone recognizes it, but only the wise who carefully observes and ponders it”?
- Some scholars studying modern social development have drawn attention to phenomena that they call the “barbarization” of society. They included a decline in the level of culture, in particular language, a weakening of moral regulators, legal nihilism, an increase in crime, drug addiction and other similar processes. How would you rate these phenomena? What is their impact on society? Do these trends determine the nature of the development of society in the foreseeable future? Give reasons for your answer.
- Soviet philosopher M. Mamardashvili (1930–1990) wrote: “The final meaning of the universe or the final meaning of history is part of human destiny. And human destiny is the following: to be fulfilled as a Human. Become Human." How is this philosopher’s thought connected with the ideas of progress?
- We carry out the task C5 . What meaning do social scientists put into the concept of “criterion of progress”? Drawing on the knowledge of the social science course, compose two sentences: one sentence revealing the features of progress, and one sentence containing information about the criterion(s) for determining progress.
First, let's not make the most common mistake associated with this task. What is required from us is not two sentences, but a CONCEPT and 2 SENTENCES (three in total!). So, we remembered the concept of progress - the progressive development of society, its movement forward. Let's choose a synonym for the wordcriterion - measure, yardstick. Respectively:
Further, let us remember that progress and regression for each society manifest themselves in different and contradictory ways. We answer the first question, retain the beginning of its formulation (we write what they want to see from us!):
1. A feature of progress is its inconsistency; all criteria for progress are subjective.
And we remember that although the degree of development of a society can be measured in different ways (there are many approaches - the level of development of science, technology and technology, the degree of democracy, a generally accepted single criterion is the humanity of society. So:
2. The universal criterion for determining progress is the degree of humanity of society, the ability to provide maximum conditions for development to each person.
So this is what our response looks like:
C5. The “criterion of progress” is a measure by which the degree of development of society is judged.
A feature of progress is its inconsistency; all criteria for progress are subjective.
The universal criterion for determining progress is the degree of humaneness of society, the ability to provide maximum conditions for development to each person.