progresssuch

Progresssuch is a term used in philosophy of technology and social theory to describe an approach to evaluating progress that foregrounds the criteria, narratives, and processes by which progress is produced, rather than focusing solely on outcomes. It treats “progress” as a contested construct subject to framing, representation, and time horizon.

Origin and usage

The term emerged in early 21st-century scholarly discourse, particularly within governance, innovation studies, and ethics of technology. It is typically presented as a descriptive label for a mode of assessment rather than a fixed methodology, and it is often employed to critique or supplement traditional outcome-based metrics of progress.

Core ideas

Progresssuch emphasizes reflexivity about what counts as progress, inviting explicit scrutiny of assumptions, interests, and power dynamics embedded in evaluation criteria. It favors plural, contextual criteria over universal benchmarks, and it promotes attention to the processes by which knowledge, technologies, and policies are developed. It also highlights time sensitivity, recognizing that short-term gains may conceal long-term costs or inequities.

Methodology

Practitioners of progresssuch map competing criteria, trace the narratives that legitimize progress claims, and examine stakeholder inclusion and distributional effects. They may use meta-evaluations, narrative analysis, and reflexive audits to assess how progress is framed, pursued, and justified.

Applications

The concept has been discussed in relation to research funding, technological deployment, environmental policy, urban planning, and AI governance, where evaluating progress requires looking beyond metrics like efficiency or speed to include ethical, social, and long-term considerations.

Criticisms

Critics argue that progresssuch can be vague or overly relativistic, potentially slowing decision-making or complicating consensus. Others contend it risks becoming a rhetorical device rather than a substantive framework if not paired with concrete criteria.

See also

Progress, reflexivity, evaluation, meta-analysis.