The Concept of Progress and Human Flourishing

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The speakers discuss the concept of progress and human flourishing, emphasizing the importance of knowledge in enhancing well-being. They caution against the idea of utopia and explore the flaws in human nature. The chapter concludes that while human improvement is possible, achieving utopia or perfection is not.

Today, you may be wrestling with what "progress" means — whether it's in relation to your own journey, your family’s, or your community’s. What do you want? And how will you get there?

In this episode, two Harvard professors explore these questions. In this 40-minute Forum excerpt, you’ll hear first from Tyler VanderWeele, the director of Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program. Tyler is in dialogue with Steven Pinker, a cognitive psychologist at Harvard and author of the best-selling book, Enlightenment Now. Tyler and Steven discuss their differing beliefs about what it means to be human, the role of faith in human flourishing, and if humanity tends towards dystopia or utopia. Their discussion is moderated by Rosalind Picard, a professor at MIT’s Media Lab and an inventor. This Forum was held on MIT's campus in Spring 2023.

Watch the full forum here.
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