kMO Habermas

There is a common theme explored throughout Habermas', Modernity – An Incomplete Project. Habermas is a scholar that I have studied for a few semesters now and I find him to be extremely intelligent, yet very repetitive by nature. Right away he states, “They sacrificed the tradition of modernity in order to make room for a new historicism.” He also quotes a critic from a German newspaper who said, “Postmodernity definitely presents itself as antimodernity.” These statements lead the reader to believe that the avant-garde disposition of a human being is strictly a trait of modernism, and has no existence in postmodern culture…

He then goes on to say, “Modernity revolts against the normalizing functions of tradition; modernity lives on the experience of rebelling against all that is normative. This revolt is the one way to neutralize the standards of both morality
and utility…” The example that followed this statement was perfect. Habermas suggests that our society walks the thin line of secrecy and scandal. We thrive off off of the mistakes of others yet flee the other direction when the aesthetic appeal wears away. In my opinion, the pushing of boundaries is considered to be the social norm in our society TODAY. One need not look far to see this idea in action. For example, just look around at the expressionists located within our own campus boandaries.

In more works than one Habermas cites that modernity is “prominent but dead.” How can this be possible considering the notion that we base our future off of what we have learned and obtained in the past. How can we claim to not repeat history if we don’t embrace what it has to offer? This reading was difficult to swallow but definitely provides insight into a lot of theories and ideas that have appeared in our previous readings.