Malaise of Modernity Flashcards
Explain Charles Taylors reasoning on the inarticulate debate
both critics and defenders both fail to acknowledge that individualism carries a moral vision of the good life.
What are the three malaises of modernity?
1) Individualism,
2) Instrumental Reason
3) Political Disengagement.
How does Individualism contribute to malaise of modernity
1) weakens moral horizons
2) leads to fragmentation
Instrumental Reason
efficiency over deeper morality
Where does Political Disengagement manifest?
From a decline in civic participation
What are DEBASED forms of individualism?
1) Relativism (discourages critique)
2) Atomism (disconnection from society).
What does Taylor argue about authenticity?
1) Authenticity requires critique;
2) Artists may need external critique to refine their vision.
What is the Ethic of Authenticity?
an ideal of self-determining freedom.
How does authenticity relate to artistic integrity?
1) Artists balance self-expression
2) external meaning.
What is Herder’s concept of originality?
Each person has their own measure; originality is key.
- Q: Why is recognition crucial in Taylor’s framework?
A: It challenges atomism and prevents disaffiliation.
What is Weber’s “Iron Cage”?
A symbol of bureaucratic rationality that limits freedom.
What does Taylor argue about instrumental reason?
It leads to disenchantment and social fragmentation.
How does instrumental reason affect art?
It commodifies beauty and meaning.
What role does technology play in moral considerations?
Originally tied to moral ideals (e.g., Bacon), now risks disengaged reasoning.
What is the danger of fragmentation and single-issue politics?
1) reflects atomism
2) thus weakens collective identity.
How does Taylor contrast relativism and authenticity?
Authenticity requires self-exploration, not mere subjective preference.
What does Taylor mean by recognition and identity?
Identity is dialogical; we discover who we are through interactions.
What is the role of the artist in society?
Art is both self-expression and a shared cultural project.
- Q: How can authenticity degrade?
A: When detached from its moral roots, it becomes superficial.
- Q: How does atomism contradict self-fulfillment?
A: It isolates individuals, undermining meaningful self-creation.
- Q: What does Taylor mean by “The Slide Toward Disaffiliation”?
A: Society encourages disaffiliation through consumerism and technology.
- Q: How does Nietzsche contrast morality and aesthetics?
A: He pits aesthetic self-realization against traditional Christian morality.
- Q: What does Taylor argue about art and morality?
A: He warns against aestheticism replacing moral responsibility.
- Q: How can artists address fragmentation?
A: By reintegrating moral horizons and rebuilding meaning.
- Q: How does The Malaise of Modernity relate to aesthetics?
A: It explores the role of authenticity, recognition, and moral vision in art.
- Q: What is the risk of misunderstanding authenticity?
A: It can lead to relativism and atomism.
- Q: What dual role does art play?
A: Art is both self-expression and a means of belonging.
- Q: How can artists respond to modern malaise?
A: By critiquing instrumental reason and offering alternative moral visions.
