THE IDEA OF PROGRESS
1. Read the definitions and fill in the gaps with
suitable words.
PROGRESS
1. Forward movement, as toward a goal . Advance . Development . Increase =
=======>> Quantity
2. Gradual betterment . Steady / Progressive improvement of society / civilization / humankind.
=======>> Quality
2. Brainstorming: Here is a list of questions you must ask yourself about the notion. Complete the blanks.
What type of progress?
technological / scientific / social / medical / educational / agricultural / personal /__________ / __________/ (...)
Who are the people concerned?
individuals / companies / governments / associations/ NGO's / family / doctors/ (,,,)
PROGRESS
1. Forward movement, as toward a goal . Advance . Development . Increase =
=======>> Quantity
2. Gradual betterment . Steady / Progressive improvement of society / civilization / humankind.
=======>> Quality
2. Brainstorming: Here is a list of questions you must ask yourself about the notion. Complete the blanks.
What type of progress?
technological / scientific / social / medical / educational / agricultural / personal /__________ / __________/ (...)
Who are the people concerned?
individuals / companies / governments / associations/ NGO's / family / doctors/ (,,,)
Which period of time is concerned?
the past / the present / the future/ eternal (...)
What is at stake?
medical issues / physical performances / technical
advances / innovations / dehumanization / domination / environmental issues /
animal rights / place of women in society / race relations / social
inequalities / economic opportunities / globalization / scientific advances /
cultural differences/ human rights / educational advances(...)
What are the advantages and disadvantages (=
drawbacks) / the pros and cons / the upside and downside?
Is it profitable (= technologie/ saving lives/
creating economical growth) or is it potentially dangerous (global
warming/ over population /increasing inequalities)
for human beings? Why?
The negative side is the lost of humanisation increase
by technology and the destruction of the environment that the consumerism is
leading to.
The positive is that, with new technology, we are able
to find solutions.
Is the impact positive or negative? For whom?
The impact is both positive and negative. It is
positive because of the efficacy behind thesystems. But it is also negative for
biodirvesity and the animals that are going extinct because of the destruction
of their living spaces.
Can we afford to reject progress or can’t we do
without it (nowadays & in future)?
I do not think we can reject progress. As an human
being, we are always wanting to do better, bigger and faster things.
Can’t we improve on the idea of progress
commonly accepted in our modern world and consumer
society?
If so, how?
We can try to limit over-cosumption.
3. Build up your vocabulary
Complete the grid during the school-year with words
and phrases suitable for the notion
|
UPSIDE / THE PROS
|
TYPES OF PROGRESS
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DOWNSIDE / THE CONS
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Enable people to work more
efficiently / improve our living standard / ...
|
Technological progress
|
Cut people off from the real world /
lose touch with nature / ...
|
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Increase the knowledge of the
world / discover new materials / ...
|
Scientific progress
|
Raise ethical issues /
create new inequalities / ...
|
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Upgrade education / reduce gender
and racial discrimination / ...
|
Social progress
|
Lose
traditional values / disrupt conservative lifestyles
/ ...
|
|
Acess to education for everyone/ more educated
population
|
Educational progress
|
It create some difficulties to get into universities
or education programmes
|
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Increase solidarity between people/
reduce gender and racial discrimination / eliminate social
inequalities
|
Social progress
|
Lose traditional values / Increase
conservative lifestyles / lose touch with different cultures
|
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