53. The task of summarizing the current status of social indicators is not an easy one in view of their evolutionary nature. The definitions and purposes of social indicators, the development of their conceptual frame­ work, the provision of empirical contents and the application of social. 36 Fredrick H. Harbison, Joan Maruhnic and Jane R. Resnick, Quantitative Analysis of Modernization and Development (Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1970). 37 Irma Adelman and Cynthia T. Morris, Society, Politics and Economic Development: A Quantitative Approach (Baltimore,The Johns Hopkins Press, 1967). · . 38 Japan, Bur~u of Planning Agency, Project COSMO, (mimeographed), 1972. 39 Japan Economic Research Center, Social Indicators .System and Living Conditions, Tokyo: JERC, 1975 (in Japanese), chapter 5. · · 51 indicators for analytical purposes are still in the process of formulation; and the links among these interrelated aspects of social indicators have not been well established . 54. To begin with, the social indicators movement has beeri too idealistic in addressing itself to the question of measuring progress towards social goals, values, and well-being. That being the case, the des­ tination of the movement was rather clear and obvious. The novelty of the movement was quickly thrown into a sea of ob.;curity in attempting to specify, even conceptually, human well-being and quality of life owing to the l~mitations of available technical tools. This set-back was attributable to the state of the arts and sciences, rather than to the lack of effort on the part of the proponents of social indicators. Human wants to be satisfied are simply too complex and diverse to be easily specified in workable form. In addition, the lack of theories explaining the determinants in each area of human needs and the inability to quan­ tify them further reduce the credibility and persuasiveness of conceptual structures of social indicators. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the concept of social indicators and their limitations in measuring progress towards social goals, values, and well-being. It highlights the complexity of human needs and the lack of theories explaining their determinants, which makes it challenging to develop a comprehensive system of social indicators. The text appears to be focused on the theoretical and methodological aspects of social indicators, rather than specific policy or practical applications.

**Category**
Education, Health