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Abstract

This study explores the philosophical underpinnings of the modern Western concept of progress by examining its roots in ancient Greek rationalism. Greek thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the groundwork for a worldview where reason, empirical inquiry, and the pursuit of knowledge were central to human development. These ideas, revived during the Renaissance and Enlightenment, deeply influenced the Western understanding of linear progress—one that views history as a continual march toward improvement through science, reason, and technological advancement. The research analyzes how Greek rationalism shaped the intellectual frameworks of modernity, particularly the belief in human autonomy, the supremacy of logic over tradition, and the rejection of metaphysical or religious sources of knowledge in favor of empirical evidence. It further investigates the transformation of these ideas into developmental paradigms that prioritize material and economic growth while marginalizing spiritual, ethical, and metaphysical dimensions of human existence. The paper also presents a critical reflection from an Islamic philosophical perspective, emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of progress that integrates material advancement with moral and spiritual elevation. By re-evaluating the Greek roots of Western developmental thought, this study highlights the cultural specificity of what is often presented as a universal model and calls for alternative paradigms that are more inclusive of diverse civilizational values.