The Idea of Progress an Inquiry Into Its Origin and Growth (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781025731247)

"The Idea of Progress an Inquiry Into Its Origin and Growth" is a seminal work of intellectual history by the renowned historian J. B. Bury. This comprehensive study traces the evolution of the concept of progress from its early seeds in antiquity to its full flowering during the Enlightenment and the nineteenth century. Bury explores how the belief in the continuous improvement of the human condition became a central tenet of Western thought, challenging previous cyclical or providential views of history.

Throughout the inquiry, the author examines the philosophical, scientific, and social shifts that allowed the idea of progress to gain dominance. By analyzing the contributions of various thinkers and the impact of the scientific revolution, the book provides a profound understanding of how this intellectual framework shaped modern civilization's expectations for the future. As a foundational text in the history of ideas, "The Idea of Progress an Inquiry Into Its Origin and Growth" remains an essential resource for students and scholars of philosophy, history, and sociology, offering deep insights into the optimism and rationalism that define the modern era.

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