The Modern Conceit

George Mason Law Professor Ilya Somin questions the inevitability of moral progress: [bold added]

all of the experts assumed that the tide of history will move in favor of the views they themselves advocate. They all seem to expect moral progress, and do not consider the possibility of retrogression. The idea that history inevitably moves towards moral progress - or at least is highly likely to do so - is a highly influential one. Many like to cite Martin Luther King's famous statement that "[t]he arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." Sadly, however, moral progress is far from inevitable. Retrogression has happened before, and could easily do so again. [snip]

It isn't hard to find examples of horrific moral retrogression in history....the 19th century abolition of slavery and serfdom throughout most of the world - one of the greatest examples of moral progress in human history - was followed in the 20th century by communist and fascist regimes' massive use of slave labor on a hitherto unimaginable scale. Communists and Nazis developed new ideological justifications for an old evil, and technological advances enabled them to implement their horrific visions far more extensively than was possible in previous eras. During the same time period, even comparatively enlightened liberal democratic states also resorted to forced labor on a larger scale than before, through extensive use of mass conscription for both civilian and military "national service," an idea that has most of the same moral flaws as old-style slavery and serfdom.

Professor Somin is cautioning that mankind's imperfections increase the harm that can result from new technology. He is stating, essentially, the Christian position--that the sins of greed, lust, sloth, pride, envy, anger, and gluttony have not been banished by scientific advancement. Those who subscribe to the Hegelian dialectic, Marxists especially, believe that over the long term the march of morality is positive. There are enough examples from history to support either side of the argument.

What is clear is that, without constant vigilance and a significant number of people who are willing to sublimate their selfish desires, "retrogression" can occur, probably faster and farther than any of us foresee.