John Gray's idea that "human progress is a lie" means that he rejects the common belief that humanity is steadily getting better - morally, politically, or socially - as time goes on.

In simple terms, Gray argues that while technology and science clearly advance, human nature does not. People today are not wiser, kinder, or less violent than people in the past; they just have more powerful tools. Because our basic instincts - fear, tribalism, greed, desire for power - stay the same, progress in knowledge does not lead to lasting moral improvement.

Wars, oppression, and cruelty don't disappear; they just take new forms. For Gray, the belief in inevitable progress is a modern myth, similar to a religious faith, and it blinds us to the reality that history moves in cycles rather than on an upward path.

12 Feb 2026: Work in progress. AI Generated summary of John Gray's core message. I wanted to get something posted quickly. It's a message I agree with and I think it fits in with the Tao Te Ching and Stoicism as far as to why these disciplines are necessary.

I intend to write something original as well as creating an htmlApp similar to those for Tao Te Ching and Stoicism.

note: I've seen responses to John Gray's position on this and people get quite offended at the notion that they aren't evolved in some way versus their great forefathers. Ironically (and comically), some of the raging responses further assert the point that "human progress is a lie".