A Theory of Modernity

328 Pages·1999·6.886 MB·English

by  Ágnes Heller

Agnes Heller
' V
■*
I
is an outstanding, independent thinker. Her theory of modernity
ctive and brings fresh philosophic insight to many topics that are
ly being debated."
Richard J. Bernstein, The New School for Social Research
ook is an elegantly written and assured summation of views on
lity from a philosopher probably now at the height of her powers,
porates Heller's own philosophical perspective, an outline of her
redecessors, a comprehensive theory of modernity and a spirit
own complex cultural dynamic and novel subjective experience
)blems."
John Grumle, University of Sydney
by one of the most influential figures in post-World-War-ll social
t, A Theory of Modernity is a comprehensive analysis of the main
ics of modernity.
unique exploration of the canonical works of Hegel, Marx,
Nietzsche, Heidegger, Foucault, and Arendt, combined with the
l gained from her life experiences, allows the reader to grasp the
; of modernity. Some of her encounters are idiosyncratic, while
are shared with all who lived through the Holocaust or under
rian dictatorships.
gaging and enlightening view of modernity is an essential read
ademics, researchers, and students of twentieth-century
phy.
thor
Heller, a colleague, pupil, and friend of George Lukâcs and one-
ssident in communist Hungary, is Hannah Arendt Professor of
Dhy at the New School for Social Research in New York. Her books
Reconstructing Aesthetics (1986), Beyond justice (1988), General
1989), A Philosophy of Morals (1990), and An Ethics of Personality
all published by Blackwell.
I
sign by Richard Boxall Design Associates ISBN 0-631—21612-X
l Great Britain
website at
vw.blackwellpublishers.co.uk
LACKWELL
9
\Publishe r s

A Theory of Modernity
To Gyuri and Marysia
A Theory o f Modernity
Agnes Heller
BLACKWELL
P u b I i shers
Copyright © Agnes Heller 1999, represented by EULAMA
The right of Agnes Heller to be identified as the author of this work has been
asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
First published 1999
2 4 6 8 10 9 7 5 3 1
Blackwell Publishers Inc.
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Blackwell Publishers Ltd
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Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject to the condition
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Heller, Agnes.
A theory of modernity / Agnes Heller,
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-631-21612-X (he: alk. paper)—ISBN 0-631-21613-8 (pbk: alk. paper)
1. Postmodernism—Social aspects.
2. Civilization, Modern—Philosophy. I. Title.
HM449.H38 1999 306'.01—dc21 99-19776 CIP
British Library Cataloging in Publication Data
A CIP Catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Typeset in 10 on 12 pt Sabon
by Kolam Information Services Pvt., Ltd, Pondicherry, India
Printed in Great Britain by MPG Books, Bodmin, Cornwall
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Contents
Preface vii
Acknowledgments xii
1 Modernity from a Postmodern Perspective:
The Philosophical Presuppositions t 1
2 The Challenge of the Heritage: Hegel, Marx, Weber 19
3 The Two Constituents of Modernity I:
The Dynamics of Modernity 40
4 The Two Constituents of Modernity II:
The Modern Social Arrangement 50
5 The Three Logics of Modernity I:
The Logic of Technology - Science as the
Dominating World View of Modernity 64
6 The Three Logics of Modernity II:
The Logic of the Division of Social Positions,
Functions, and Wealth 80
7 The Three Logics of Modernity III:
The Logic of Political Power (Domination} 96
8 Culture and Civilization I: The Three Concepts of Culture 115
9 Culture and Civilization II: The Omnivorous Modernity 141
10 Culture and Civilization III: Civilization 152
11 Worldtime and Lifetime 173
12 Space, Place, and Home 185
VI Contents
13 Law, Ethos, and Ethics: The Question of Values 200
14 Happiness, Perfection, Authenticity: An Ethics of Personality 221
Notes 236
Selected Bibliography 302
Index 308
Preface
In this book I present a theory of modernity, one theory of modernity
among all possible theories, including those already in existence. It is
hardly an exaggeration to say that all political and social theories and
philosophies conceived in modernity are also theories or philosophies of
modernity. They all differ from one another. It is also possible that the
self-same author will devise two or more different theories of modernity
in his or her lifetime. But these theories will not differ in the same way
that philosophical systems conceived by the same author would - as, for
example, Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations differs from his ear­
lier Tractatus.
One of the two main sources of theories of modernity are the life
experiences of the author (experiences that he or she shares with many
others), and the philosophical description of and reflection upon those
experiences which encompass the modern tradition and which the author
shares with all others involved in understanding modernity. The life
experiences will also be filtered through some of those (inherited)
descriptions and reflections. As a result, when it comes to theories of
modernity, “authorship” will be more blurred than in the case of other
philosophical enterprises. There is a common referent in modernity;
namely, shared life experiences and the descriptions of and the reflection
upon the common elements of these experiences - what we normally call
“social/eality.” But since each life experience is also idiosyncratic, the
referent, the so-called “social reality” of modernity, will appear in a very
different light if presented from different perspectives. This is why I did
not choose The Philosophy of Modernity as the title of this book, but A
Theory of Modernity. The word “thepry” is most appropriate to describe
two of my preconceptions. Firstly, Twant to suggest that each theory
somehow sees modernity and develops a view of modernity - that there
is a very strong visual element here. If there exists a capacity of an