Modernity PDF

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MODERNITY● Explain the concept of modernity. How was it influenced by the enlightenment traditions?○ Introduction : ■ Latin word modernus, meaning “just recently.” ■ Modernity has a temporal (related to time) connotation. ■ Modernity is a value loaded term : Intellectual & material progress. ■ D...

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MODERNITY ● Explain the concept of modernity. How was it influenced by the enlightenment traditions? ○ Introduction : ■ Latin word modernus, meaning “just recently.” ■ Modernity has a temporal (related to time) connotation. ■ Modernity is a value loaded term : Intellectual & material progress. ■ Discourse (narrative) on modernity itself changed in modern period. ■ Modernity implies normative values. ○ Features of Modernity : ■ Individualism: Free will , autonomous self , Society=aggregate of ind. ■ Humanism : Prime importance to humans rather than divine powers. ■ Secularism : Reason NOT religion , Kings have no divine rights to rule ■ Scientific Enquiry & Empirical methods : Primacy to science, reason, rationality, critical thinking, In place of religious dogma. ■ Materialism : Derive happiness from material possessions ■ Universal normative political values : Liberty , equality , justice , rights ○ Enlightenment : ■ European intellectual movement :18th century , Paris France. ■ New ideas : God, religion, politics, reason, nature & humanity ■ Break from past : Challenged traditional conceptions by religion. ■ Prime engine of Modernity. ■ Immense contribution to MPP : All the normative political values. ■ Thinkers : Montesquieu , Voltaire , David Hume , Wollstonecraft. ○ How it shaped Modernity ? ■ Using science and technology : Belief in empirical school of thought. ■ A desire for legal and constitutional reform : Constitution , citizenship rights , political equality ■ Emancipation of man : Loosened the shackles of traditional dogmas of religion & rituals.(church) ○ Criticism : ■ Excessive focus on reason, rationality. ■ Romanticism : late 18th cen against enlight ,restore feeling,emotions

■ Enlightenment era thinkers : Rousseau & Hume (later criticized enlightenment movement) ■ Modernists and Post modernists : CB Macpherson , Neitzsche ■ Discourse on modernity : Eurocentric. ○ Conclusion : ■ Limited role in modernity : Overemphasized ■ Philosophers : privileged class , status quoist , feeble attempt ■ Socio political order : Perpetuated the inequality , has its roots in the capitalist mindset which was a result of enlightenment.

● What was the Enlightenment movement? How it contributed to Modern political philosophy ? ○ Introduction : ■ European intellectual movement :18th century , Paris France. ■ New ideas : God, religion, politics, reason, nature & humanity ■ Break from past : Challenged traditional conceptions by religion. ■ Prime engine of Modernity. ■ Immense contribution to MPP : All the normative political values. ■ Thinkers : Montesquieu , Voltaire , David Hume , Wollstonecraft. ○ Kant on enlightenment : ■ Man’s emergence from his self-imposed immaturity. ■ Sapere Aude : Dare to Know , Use of reason in all walks of life. ■ Change in political order : End of despotisms & tyranny. ○ Contribution to MPP : ■ Individualism: Free will , autonomous self , Society=aggregate of ind. ■ Humanism : Prime importance to humans rather than divine powers. ■ Secularism : Reason NOT religion , Kings have no divine rights to rule ■ Scientific Enquiry & Empirical methods : Primacy to science, reason, rationality, critical thinking, In place of religious dogma. ■ Universal normative political values : Liberty , equality , justice , rights ■ Influence & Inspiration : Subsequent Political Philosophers (JS MILL , John Rawls)

○ Conclusion : ■ Significant role , yet critical evaluation done by many scholars. ■ Balance Romanticism & Modernity : ● Mill : revised utilitarianism of Bentham ● Nietzsche : Enlightenment (killer of God) ● Hegel : derided excessive focus on reason. ● Discuss various factors which contributed towards formation of modernity in the west. ○ Introduction : ■ Latin word modernus, meaning “just recently.” ■ Modernity has a temporal (related to time) connotation. ■ Modernity is a value loaded term : Intellectual & material progress. ■ Discourse (narrative) on modernity itself changed in modern period. ■ Modernity implies normative values. ○ Factors : ■ Renaissance movement: ● Reawakening of the masses : Started in Italy , 14th century ● Major artists : Da Vinci , Michelangelo , Machiavelli ● Innovations : Paper , Printing press , Gunpowder ● Political Philosophy : machiavelli (prince ) separation of politics and religion. ■ Protestant reformation movement : ● Western Church movement in 16th century. ● Leaders : martin luther , John Calvin ● Separation of church from politics. ■ Scientific Revolution : ● 16th-17th century : Science replaced christianity as focal point ● Main thinkers : Descartes , Pascal , Newton , Copernicus ● Greatest contribution : Belief in modern world that problems can be solved through science. ■ Enlightenment : ● European intellectual movement :18th century , Paris France. ● New ideas : God, religion, politics, reason, nature & humanity ● Break from past : Challenged traditional conceptions by religion.

● Prime engine of Modernity. ● Immense contribution to MPP : All the normative political values. ● Thinkers : Montesquieu , Voltaire , David Hume , Wollstonecraft. ■ Industrial revolution : ● 18-19th century ; great invention and application of science for making life better. ● Prominent inventors : James Watt , richard arkwright , graham bell , wright brothers ● Materialism : Progress , economic prosperity , development of human lives. ■ French and American revolution : ● Culmination of enlightenment movement. ● American : liberal democracy & market capitalism. ● French : Liberty , equality & fraternity. ○ Conclusion : ■ Modernity project : Long journey comprising many new developments. ■ Defining feature : Reason not Religion , Individual not society new paradigm of thought making. ■ 21st century : Redefining the discourse on modernity , new developments (AI , Cryptocurrency , Globalization , Internet revolution)...