Yes, there is a point of view which says that societies gradually move toward better moralities and social values.
But I have my doubts.
I look at some of the moral standards our society has today, and I think some of them are regressions, not advances.
<iu> some "value systems"
are superior to others, namely, those associated with societies which make life for most people more humane and
productive.
Productivity is not, IMO, a good way to judge whether a value system is superior.
Of course, in order to judge whether a value system is superior, we have to have a value system for judging value systems. And we have to decide then which value system for judging value systems is superior. But then, of course, we have to have a value system for judging which value system for judging value systems is superior . . .
All value systems are compromises. The classical Greek compromise was between family and state -- the dichotomy which, for example, Sophocles' Antigone (on which I wrote my senior theis) was based. Go too far in either direction, and you move toward chaos. Our society tends, I think, to be more concerned with the balance between freedom and responsibility. There are other dichotomies which can define the questions a society considers most important. But all value systems are inherently compromises.
it is desirable, for the ultimate good of the planet, that there be a move towards modernization and the liberal civilization of which we are a part, with all deliberate speed,
Modernization certainly brings material improvements in life. Whether it also brings moral and spiritual improvements is, IMO, highly debatable. If comfort and convenience are to be deemed the highest goals of human beings, you are right that it is good to pursue modernization relentlessly. But this is not necessarily a given. There are increasing numbers of people recognizing that going back to nature, or going to spiritual retreats in places which lack certain modern conveniences, are of great value. |
