The Idea of Progress: an Inquiry Into its Origin and Growth

Wide-ranging, erudite and stimulating, this thought-provoking volume describes the birth and development of one of the most important basic ideas of our civilization: progress, or the concept that humanity is advancing in a definite and desirable direction. Throughout, Bury examines the contributions of Darwin, Descartes, Voltaire, Locke, and other important thinkers.