Habermas dedicates his reading to modernity and attempts to come to a conclusion on whether modernity is a thing of the past, as argued by post-modernists, or if it is an ongoing ‘project’. The modern, he explains, originated in the 5th century and distinguishes itself as the present in relation to the past. It is not a rejection of the past, but it is however, a transition from the old to the new. He explains the concept of the ‘avant-garde’ to be the invading of unknown territory ready to conquer the future. Society is constantly longing for an “undefiled, immaculate and stable present” and this is the reason why the modern is constantly being evolving and being replaced by a new modern. Modernity, however, is receiving a much fainter response that it used to which provides a basis for the post-modernist argument. While the modern continues to expand, it is no longer creative and while modernism is still dominant in our society, it is said to be dead. It is for this reason that post-modernism recreates ties with history and uses it as a basis for the future.
Although modernity has contributed much to our society, many have found it to have posed many problems in our society, namely neoconservatives. They argue that is has penetrated our every day lives and has dismantled our society through the economic and administrative rationality that come with modernization. This gives yet another reason for doubting the project of modernity.
Habermas disagrees with these doubtful views and instead refers to modernity as an incomplete project. By referring to it as a project, he means that modernity can be perfected. He concludes that modernity has not yet been fulfilled so it should not be given up on. Instead, one should learn from the mistakes of those who have tried to negate it.
Reading this piece really gave light to the topic of modernity and I find some of my thoughts matching those of Habermas. I don’t find that modernity is something of the past. As stated in the reading, society is never satisfied and will always look to find the next big thing. Modernism may no longer have the same effect it did 100 years ago but I think this is because we have evolved so much that its almost expected. That’s why when it happens, we don’t think too much of it. We anxiously wait for the modern. Another reason for this may be that we are no longer abruptly presented with modern ideas. We are eased into it so slowly that we don’t necessarily realize the modern is occurring and then fading as a new modern begins. It is only when we look back in time that we realize how the times have changed in terms of modernity. I believe Habermas is correct in referring to modernity as a project. He states that modernity has not yet been fulfilled but it is unclear as to whether or not he believes that it will ever be fulfilled. I’m not sure it ever will be fulfilled simply because of the ‘avant-garde’. There will never be a modernity period that remains forever. Modernity will always be overcome by a new modern because of the fact that society is never satisfied and is always looking for the next big thing.
So now, I leave you with: What do you think of Habermas referring to modernity as a project?
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