Final answer:
The debate over whether society is thriving or surviving hi_ges on its ability to adapt and maintain long-term success, particularly with our current technological society's reliance on finite resources. While past ideologies such as social Darwinism have fallen out of favor, modern movements advocate for an ecologically sustainable society, prioritizing a balance between material progress and ecological sustainability.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering whether society is thriving or surviving, it's important to weigh the societal structure and its ability to adapt and sustain long-term success. Currently, technological society poses significant challenges with its heavy reliance on finite resources and a lack of sustainable principles. It's a matter for debate if we can achieve a balance and transition to an ecologically sustainable society. Historical attempts at social Darwinism showed flawed reasoning by suggesting that stronger nations or groups would inherently benefit those less powerful, which is a stark contrast with modern efforts aimed at sustainable life in harmony with ecological boundaries.
Many community organizations and NGOs are currently advocating for a shift towards sustainability. Movements such as the transition town movement and the Great Transition Initiative suggest that, although facing significant challenges, there is an ongoing battle to build a society that balances material progress with spiritual and intellectual richness.
The ultimate measure of society's success may not just lie in material wealth or technological advancements, but in our ability to establish a viable global plan for living prosperously within planetary boundaries, indefinitely. This would necessitate a framework that evaluates human activities based on their long-term sustainability and their contribution to overall human welfare.