Ambivalences of Modernity
Ambivalences of Modernity

Summary/Abstract: The presentation aims at reflecting on the ambivalences of globalization in the context of the discourse on modernity, related also to the end of history theorem. We have witnessed a fierce debate on modernity in the context of democratic transition. During the discourse the role of ideologies, ethics, and even some of the very basic values of philosophical tradition (for instance the legitimacy of rational procedures, the quest for perfection, teleological aspects of human history) were challenged. Some influential ideological ambitions relied on basic principles of modernity. At least there we have a basic presumption of modernity: social, cultural and political questions might and should be solved by procedures grounded on universal values (such as human rights). Globalization of mankind in this context hold firm inter-dependence to victory of universal unity of mankind. There are however some questions that were left unanswered by the Enlightenment. On the other hand ideologies based on a particular perspective (such as nationalism) are characterized by a theoretical lacuna in regards to its legitimacy in comparison to ideologies that are characterized by “universalism”. In this context the problem would then be whether questions in politics and ethics might be solved without the modern assumptions that are based on certain values that generally speaking are ideologically grounded? The question will be how to legitimate relevant values for political communities? The enquiry suggests, following ideas by Hannah Arendt, that the very language of political philosophy is grounded in the perspective of the philosopher and his anti-political experience.

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