Генезис идеи общественного прогресса в историко-философской мысли

Abstract

Development and social changes are realized in the culture and fixed by the public consciousness, beginning with the ancient civilizations. The concept of progress is viewed through the prism of the history of philosophy. Attention is focused on the creation of the first cyclical theories of the development of society by Plato and Aristotle, the spread of social change to various spheres of social structure. The perception of the idea of social progress as the flourishing and movement for a better future in the philosophical theories of the New time is shown reflecting political optimism and faith in the abilities and intelligence of human. We analyze the genesis of social progress during the 19th century, the belief in the continuous progressive development of humanity, human values, to the aid of which science and technology come. The weakening of people’s faith in absolute and endless progress is taking place against the background of the historical events of the 20th century, including wars, revolutions, environmental disasters and economic crises, resulting in the flowering of historical pessimism, disappointment and doubt in the progressive movement. Under the conditions of the modern civilizational crisis, the idea of progress is replaced by ideas about the regressive nature of social and societal changes. The evolutionary nature of philosophical concepts, the acquisition of the status of philosophy of not being an abstract theoretical concept, but a fundamentally important tool for understanding modern society and predicting historical and social perspectives, is given. The article provides the conclusion that the concepts of zero growth and restrained, gradual development are replacing the idea of progress and regress, while positivist philosophy gives way to syncretic directions and a tolerant attitude towards the world as a whole.