Progress Philosophy

(“jativada”) Progress philosophy affirms
that one can attain complete freedom
from bondage—which in the Indian
context is identified as the end of reincarnation (samsara) and final liberation
of the soul (moksha)—and that one can
also specify the necessary and sufficient
conditions that allow human beings to
bring about this freedom. As a rule,
progress philosophy tends to stress
gradual spiritual attainment, in which
very small beginnings can gradually lead
one to the ultimate goal. Progress
philosophers thus tend to stress particular religious paths that will lead one
to the final goal, and also tend to place
a great significance on actions (especially ritual actions) as essential parts
of this path. In the Hindu tradition,
most philosophical schools are progress
philosophies: the combined NyayaVaisheshika school, the combined
Samkhya-Yoga school, the Purva
Mimamsa school, and even the
Bhamati and Vivarana schools of
Advaita Vedanta.