Short essay on the world does not progress, it merely changes
Our ancestors would find themselves in a world quite unlike what they saw in their lifetime, if they were to wake up after their sleep of centuries. However, our first question to them would be whether they find the world better or worse or changed outwardly or to them it remains basically the same.
Progress stands for onward movement though it also implies development. There is no doubt that the present times have vastly changed. However, we do not deny that change is the law of nature but the question arises whether this change is inevitably a process of moving forward in the right direction a step towards the evolution of mankind, a link in the chain of man’s ceaseless endeavor to better his lot.
It would be indeed wrong to hold the opinion that man has made no progress from the past and no improvement in human life has appeared. Today, man is no longer a cave dweller, not an animal roaming naked in the forests and securing his food like beasts of prey. Man has passed the state of barbarism and lives in an organized society, has sharpened his intellect and turned his reason to good account, has harnessed the forces of nature, has evolved a system of philosophy and religion and developed the various arts and sciences. Today he has reached the moon and almost conquered death.
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None the less, conservative people place the Golden Age of mankind in the past. It is believed that at the down of civilization man had attained the height of civilization and virtuous living which disappeared with the passage of time. In the beginning man was nearer God and nature but he lost the divine glory as the years rolled, on. The people wistfully look back to the glorious ages of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The times of Ashoka and Maurya regimes are thought to represent the zenith of civilization. However, those who hold such beliefs fail miserably to view the progress done by man.
Man has achieved equality and liberty. Slavery has ended; untouchability has been made an offence; women have emerged out of the four walls of the house; the lot of the factory worker is ameliorated. The law and order has made life and property safe. Societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals have been set up. Colonialism and imperialism have become the things of the past. Liberty of conscience is granted to the people; religious persecution is unknown, and the rights of minorities are safeguarded. Strenuous efforts are made by the advanced countries to uplift the backward countries and communities.
However, it is argued that science has promoted only material well-being and moral and spiritual progress has been retarded. The terrible engines of destruction have turned the world into global conflicts which spell incalculable ruin. Man is neither more vicious nor more virtuous than before. Except for science the artistic and literary achievements of today do not compare favorably with their counterparts of earlier ages.
The study of History shows that undoubtedly mankind does progress but not steadily and continuously.