Spengler challenges traditional views of progress from "summary" of The Decline of the West by Oswald Spengler
Spengler's perspective on progress in "The Decline of the West" is a radical departure from the conventional understanding of the concept. While most people see progress as an upward linear movement towards higher levels of civilization, Spengler argues that this view is narrow and shortsighted. He believes that progress is not a universal law applicable to all civilizations throughout history, but rather a unique phenomenon that is specific to the culture in which it occurs. According to Spengler, each civilization has its own inherent trajectory, with its own unique beginning, middle, and end. He asserts that progress should be measured not by how closely a civilization approximates a particular ideal, but by how well it fulfills its own destiny. This destiny, according to Spengler, is predetermined and cannot be altered or accelerated by external forces. Spengler's concept of progress is deeply rooted in his cyclical view of history. He argues that civilizations go through predictable stages of growth, maturity, decline, and eventual collapse. This cyclical pattern, he contends, is an essential part of the natural order of things and cannot be avoided or transcended. By challenging traditional views of progress, Spengler forces us to confront the limitations of our own cultural biases and assumptions. He urges us to look beyond our preconceived notions of what progress should look like and instead embrace the unique and diverse paths that civilizations take on their journey through history. In doing so, he offers a new perspective on progress that is both humbling and enlightening.
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