wanabe
While I can almost see what you are getting at: people mistaking what progress may be. ID or god existing is always a possibility. I think it's a poor example; not showing progress or regress.
You are correct, there is always the possibility that these could be true. However, I see it as being a regression because it would literally be a step backwards in time. I don't like the idea of I.D. myself but do believe in some form of higher entity or 'God'. I.D. is pretty much just a twist off of main stream religion to combat the theory of evolution, it is basically the same as the paradigm we were in 100 years ago.
When people discover that their world view(s) is (are) wrong they tend to get scared or, at the very least, flustered. They will grasp at anything that may explain the concept that they no longer have the ability to understand, even if the thing they grasp at is wrong. It is surely much easier to leap down hill than to make giant strides up the face of a cliff.
Perhaps the issue is not that people are confused about what progress is. Perhaps it's that different(groups of)people want a particular progression. Showing illusions for what they are could create a divide. Example: the divide between science/religion; To generalize any group of opposing views. This divide is not detrimental to overall progress however because it will likely cause each group to rethink their ideas. Perhaps even creating a whole new branch of thinking.
This is a very good point. I believe many things are relative, but we could find specific thing that all, or most, people agree are progress.
1. Strengthening humanities chance at survival.
2. Promoting peace.
3. Gaining knowledge.
4. Working to preserve our earth, and if effect, ourselves.
Some people may disagree that these things are progressive, and surely they are just as correct as the people who would agree with me. But the fact is that the majority of people would like to preserve this world for future generations and promote peace.
I think the relative views of different factions of people are just wheels and cogs in the machine that is 'overall progress'.
Cooperation is wonderful, but we are born of competition.
Hmm... I read somewhere recently that competition is, mainly, the way we use it, a lower brain (reptilian brain) function.
Competition is just another illusion. Not only is it an illusion but it is an illusion that I, for one, believe to be utterly out-dated. Competition needs a renovation.
Forgive my assumptions. It seems that you are getting slightly frustrated with my questioning. To maintain a quality report; have you any questions for me(though I feel that the above paragraph may have alleviated some of that already)?
Actually I am enjoying this conversation quite a bit.
Forgive me if I seem to be getting frustrated, for I surely am not.
What illusions do you think we have that need to be renovated, reformed, or just flat dropped? I'm going to make a list and post it later.