An Interpretation of Progress

Progress the relation of the current state compared to the ideal state. For example, a progress report in school shows the current grade of the student. Based on that current grade, the student can either try to maintain the grade or work harder to get the ideal grade. In loading screens for computer programs, the progress bar shows the present state of the program compared to the ideal state of completion.

What about social progress? Well, we’re working for an ideal state in our society. Okay, so what is the ideal state? There’s the problem. There is no ideal state. At least, there’s no ideal we can all agree upon. Some of us want to preserve the environment over everything else. Others are more concerned with the economy or civil rights or gun laws or purging the media of all things offensive.

So, what would the ideal state be if we were to get everything we wanted? This is where we start getting conflicting arguments over whose interpretation of the ideal is correct. For instance, let’s assume that half the world’s population want all guns to be banned from existence while the other half want a gun in every home. Both groups can’t be right. The fact of the matter is that only one group can be correct, but we have no practical way of finding out the correct answer. Once we include the varying degrees of opinion on a certain topic, we become even more confused trying to figure out the right answer. The inclusion of even more topics to consider makes the task of finding the ideal daunting if not impossible.

What do we do about it? Our best, of course. In order to get at least something good done, we have to use the knowledge and morals we’ve attained throughout our lives to find the answer. We need to argue our opinions in order to refine and strengthen them or even change them. Maybe progressing humanity isn’t about reaching the ideal at all but just making each other better.