The Idea of Progress: An Inquiry Into Its Origin And Growth

"We may believe in the doctrine of Progress or we may not, but in either case it is a matter of interest to examine the origins and trace the history of what is now, even should it ultimately prove to be no more than an idolum saeculi, the animating and controlling idea of western civilisation." Contents: • Some Interpretations of Universal History: Bodin and Le Roy • Utility the End of Knowledge: Bacon • Cartesianism • The Doctrine of Degeneration: the Ancients and Moderns • The Progress o...