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About this quote

What does it mean?
Humanity has advanced technologically and socially but has not necessarily improved morally or behaviorally.
In plain terms
We have improved our tools and systems but not ourselves.
What can you take from it?
Progress in tools does not mean progress in character.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • ethical discussion
  • self critique

Putting it to work

  • evaluate human behavior
  • study history
  • focus on character

Questions to consider

  • Has humanity actually gotten better over time?
  • What defines true improvement?

Another view

Some argue that moral progress is harder to measure than technological progress.

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