A Theory of Modernity

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.

Acknowledgements.

Preface.

1. Modernity from a Postmodern Perspective: The Philosophical Presuppositions.

2. Challenge by the Heritage: Hegel, Marx, Weber.

3. The Two Constituents of Modernity: The Dynamics of Modernity.

4. The Two Constituents of Modernity: The Modern Social Arrangement.

5. The Three Logics of Modernity: The Logic of Technology, Science as the Dominating World–View of Modernity.

6. The Three Logics of Modernity: The Logic of the Division of Social Positions, Functions, and Wealth.

7. The Three Logics of Modernity: The Logic of Political Power (Domination).

8. Culture and Civilization: The Three Concepts of Culture.

9. Culture and Civilization II: The Omnivorous Modernity.

10. Culture and Civilization III: Civilization.

11. World–time and Life–time.

12. Space, place and home.

13. Law, ethos and ethics. The question of values.

14. Happinessshenticity; an ethics of personality.

Selected Bibliography.

Index.

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.

"Heller is an outstanding, independent thinker. Her theory of modernity is distinctive and brings fresh philosophic insight to many topics that are currently being debated."
–– Richard J. Bernstein, The New School for Social Research

"The book is an elegantly written and assured summation of her views on modernity from a philosopher probably now at the height of her powers. It incorporates Heller′s own philosophical perspective, an outline of her great predecessors, a comprehensive theory of modernity and a spirit with its own complex cultural dynamic and novel subjective experience and problems."
––John Grumley, University of Sydney