A Theory of Modernity

by Heller, Agnes

• ISBN13: 9780631216124
• ISBN10: 063121612X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-06-02
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Written by one of the most influential figures in post-World-War-II social thought, A Theory of Modernity is a comprehensive analysis of the main dynamics of modernity, which discusses the technological, social and political elements of modernism. Heller's unique exploration of the traditional works from Hegel, Marx, Weber, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Foucault, and Arendt combined with the wisdom gained from her life experiences, allows the reader to grasp the essence of modernity. Some of her encounters are idiosyncratic, while others are shared with all who lived through the Holocaust and totalitarian dictatorships. This engaging and enlightening view of modernity is an essential read for academics, researchers, and students of twentieth-century philosophy.

Author Biography

Agnes Heller-a colleague, pupil, and friend of George Lukacs and one-time dissident in Communist Hungary - is Hannah Arendt Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research in New York. Her books include Reconstructing Aestheticism (1986), Beyond Justice (1988), General Ethics (1989), A Philosophy of Morals (1990), and An Ethics of Personality (1996), all published by Blackwell Publishers.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Acknowledgments	xii
Modernity from a Postmodern Perspective: The Philosophical Presuppositions	1	(18)
The Challenge of the Heritage: Hegel, Marx, Weber	19	(21)
The Two Constituents of Modernity I: The Dynamics of Modernity	40	(10)
The Two Constituents of Modernity II: The Modern Social Arrangement	50	(14)
The Three Logics of Modernity I: The Logic of Technology - Science as the Dominating World View of Modernity	64	(16)
The Three Logics of Modernity II: The Logic of the Division of Social Positions, Functions, and Wealth	80	(16)
The Three Logics of Modernity III: The Logic of Political Power (Domination)	96	(19)
Culture and Civilization I: The Three Concepts of Culture	115	(26)
Culture and Civilization II: The Omnivorous Modernity	141	(11)
Culture and Civilization III: Civilization	152	(21)
Worldtime and Lifetime	173	(12)
Space, Place, and Home	185	(15)
Law, Ethos, and Ethics: The Question of Values	200	(21)
Happiness, Perfection, Authenticity: An Ethics of Personality	221	(15)
Notes	236	(66)
Selected Bibliography	302	(6)
Index	308