The debates of idealists and materialists concern many topics. But one of them literally pits both sides, causing a huge amount of raging emotions. This is a problem of progress. A very abstract noun causes almost holy wars. Is progress what it seems to be, or not? The very formulation of such a question is very, very difficult to understand. Let's dot all the non-existent vowels in Russian i.
About bread
Need arguments that the phenomenon under discussion still exists? Easy! Progress is not only an ideal, but also a completely material phenomenon. Let's start with the banal - daily bread. Over time, objectively, more food has become available in the world. Famine in developed countries happens only during the war. Life expectancy has also grown significantly: a few centuries ago, at 40 years old, a person was considered (and was physiologically) a deep old man. Scientific progress has greatly advanced medicine. Child labor is no longer a necessity in most states. For comparison: in the 19th century in England, children were sent to work at six years old. Yes, and now you can work less: not 14 hours, but 6-8, and at the same time not to starve to death.
Independence
With housing, despite the notorious "housing problem", it became easier. Compare a modern family of 4 in two rooms with a family of 12 in one. In general, in terms of population density, it has become much easier. The car gave personal mobility, which immediately became a life value for many. Older people have become more independent. Complain about a low pension? Previously, the majority did not receive it at all and lived out of the grace of younger relatives. Now, with a reasonable and far-sighted approach, you can travel and enjoy life in retirement. If you do not assume that someone should expect something from the state, then poverty in retirement will not threaten.
Eloquent Figures
Women's rights have become more realized. Do not believe? Just compare the life expectancy of women and men in the 18th century and modern. Previously, the difference was not in favor of the fair sex. And that says a lot. In traditional Muslim societies, men now live longer. Progress is an obvious phenomenon when you compare numbers.
Freedom and power
Now about what idealists do not believe in - about social improvements. The development and progress in this area is also obvious, although new dangers arose, such as Muslim terrorism. So, the power of capital is limited by the forces of the state, monopolies are suppressed with more or less success, there is free compulsory education that gives people opportunities, condemnation of slavery and actions to eradicate it. The rule of law, not human will, is more characteristic of the modern world than the ancient one. Although there have been positive exceptions in the past, there are negative exceptions now. But the trend is toward social progress.
People always want better than they eat. Yes, there are problems of inequality, the dominance of the dark sides of human nature, militant Islam. But they all cannot compare with declining infant mortality. If not for this achievement, 70% of those reading the article would simply not have survived to this age. So do not believe the idealists. Progress is a real phenomenon. And criticizing, one should always offer.