Does tradition hinder progress?

In your opinion, does clinging to tradition impede progression?

Unfortunately it has that ability.

More often than not I think. I don't think all traditions are counter productive. I just can't think of one now.

"Why are we doing this?"
"Um, because this is how we've always done it."

It depends on how we really define "clinging to tradition." I personally think the "tradition impedes progress" argument is typically a crock to justify something that cannot be justified by logic. Whenever people want something they don't currently have, they label it "progress" to make themselves look sophisticated for wanting it. "Progress" is the very thing that hinders progress. (How's that for a paradox? )

When most people today speak of "progress," they are really speaking about progressivISM. There IS a big difference. TRUE progress is good, but not everything done in the name of progress is true progress. One could one day argue that child molestation should be legalized under the guise of "progress." (People will do it because cloak anything in progress and you'll get a bunch of mindless idiots to jump on board your cause without an iota of critical thinking) These progressives are bound to progress us right off a cliff. When mindless idiots are willing to "progress" us into destruction, if traditions can reel us in any, that's a GOOD thing, IMO.

I don't judge things on a "progress" meter. IMO, anybody who hides behind some vague notion of "progress" to justify themselves is a coward and a fool. The idea that just because an idea is "current," "popular," labeled as "progress," or whatever fallacious term you wanna use, doesn't make it right, moral, helpful, or worth considering.

So does "tradition" impede progress? No, I don't think so. People who use progress as justification for the things they do are what impede progress. If anything, I think more adherence to traditions could further progress. That being said, I don't believe in tradition for the sake of tradition either. I find both extremes rather unappealing. People who want something just because it is traditional are on weak footing, but at the same time, people who want something because it is "progressive" are on even weaker footing. I suppose I don't care if something is "tradition" or "progress." I go for what is best.

It can, but I also think tradition is every bit as important as progress. The future, the past, the present ~ all equally important.

Bluesmama wrote:It can, but I also think tradition is every bit as important as progress. The future, the past, the present ~ all equally important.