Progressive Utilization Theory: Difference between revisions

<imagemap>Image:PROUT SocialPyramid.jpg|Layers of social concern. Flowing upwards, they correspond with the five fundamental principles of PROUT.<ref name="Abhidevananda, Acarya Avt 1978"/> (Click a layer to read more on the topic.)|220px|thumb

{{main|The five fundamental principles of PROUT}}

In 1962, Sarkar formally outlined PROUT in sixteen numbered [[Samskrta]] aphorisms (see Chapter 5 of ''[[Ananda Sutram]]''<ref>Anandamurti, Shrii Shrii (1962). ''Ánanda Sútram''. [[Ananda Marga Publications]]. ISBN 81–7252–027–1.</ref>). The last five numbered aphorisms (5:12–16) are commonly referred to as the ''five fundamental principles of PROUT''. These five principles are deemed to be ''fundamental'', because it would be difficult to get a clear understanding of PROUT without comprehending the underlying concepts of these principles, the interrelationship of the principles, and their respective areas of application.  

Human longings are unlimited. What is considered to be an [[#Amenities|amenity]] today may be viewed as a ''minimum requirement'' tomorrow. For example, consider cellphones. This is a relatively new technology. The [http://www.google.com/patents?id=nO8tAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4#v=onepage&q&f=false first patent] to be taken out on a handheld cellphone was in October 1973.<ref name=radiotelsys>[[:wikipedia:Martin Cooper (inventor)|Martin Cooper]], et al., [http://www.google.com/patents?id=nO8tAAAAEBAJ&dq=martin+cooper "Radio Telephone System"], US Patent number 3,906,166; Filing date: 17 October 1973; Issue date: September 1975; Assignee [[:wikipedia:Motorola|Motorola]]</ref> Today, less than 40 years later, there are over 6 billion mobile phone subscriptions, reaching 87% of the global population.<ref>[http://mobithinking.com/mobile-marketing-tools/latest-mobile-stats/a#subscribers "Global mobile statistics 2012 Part A: Mobile subscribers; handset market share; mobile operators"]. ''Mobithinking''. 9 August 2012.</ref> In other words, cellphones have even penetrated the [[:wikipedia:Bottom of the pyramid|bottom of the economic pyramid]], effectively making them what PROUT would deem to be a ''minimum requirement according to era''. In the view of PROUT, human society is not just obliged to provide everyone with the [[#Minimum requirements of life|minimum requirements of life]]. Rather, human society is obliged to provide everyone with whatever may constitute the minimum requirements according to era.<ref>Anandamurti, Shrii Shrii (1962). ''[[Ananda Sutram]]'' (Sutra 5:9). [[Ananda Marga Publications]]. ISBN 81–7252–027–1.</ref>