Modernity and theory - Essay Example

What is modernity There is no simple answer to this question. Modernity is a complex phenomenon. An (attempt to) answer to this question could be: modernity is the social phenomenon during which society, in general, started to exhibit or express relative "rationality", industriousness, and individualism (as opposed to the "irrationality" and dogma of the religious pre-modern eras). Modernism can also be thought of as the demotion of tradition. Traditional society is characterized by a prevalent dependence on magic, religion, superstition, and an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude.

The modern period can be considered to be roughly the whole of the 20th century up to the present. More specifically, the modern era is generally considered to have begun sometime between 1870 and 1970. Some further limit modernity to the 1910-1960 period, after which the post-modern era is said to have started.Modernity started as a prevailing popular social attitude in Western Europe during about the seventeenth century (which subsequently developed a world-wide influence). Modernity is characterized by changes in the economy-the advent of industrialism and capitalism, with social class as the main form of social division.

Modernity is characterized also by urbanization, or the rapid birth and growth of cities. Modernity also means changes in government-the government is now centralized and, in effect, more powerful (although modernity also means generally more power to the individual).In modernity there is also a rise in general knowledge-society becomes more rational and scientific, and the dependence on religion and superstition is less. According to Peter Berger, among the characteristics of modernity are the disintegration of traditional communities, the broadening of individual freedom and choice, the diversification of beliefs, and the future-oriented or progress-centric attitude of society in general.

These characteristics are in contrast to characteristics of pre-modern times: a close-knit communal structure, very limited choice (in everything from food and clothing to profession, behavior, and faith), and a general non-progressive attitude, particularly in the context of progress and technology. Ferdinand Tonnies described modernization as the combined deterioration of Gemeinschaft (roughly translated to community) and the growing prevalence of Gesellschaft (roughly, society). These are the two types of social groupings that Tonnies describes.

To Tonnies, modernity means the progressive loss of community (or groupings based on attitudes of togetherness) to growing individualism (because of the increase of groupings based mainly on an instrumental goal). An example of Gemeinschaft is a family or a neighborhood. An example of Gesellschaft is a corporation.Division of labor is what Emile Durkheim essentially saw as the definition of modernity. "Mechanical solidarity, based on shared activities and beliefs, gradually gives way to organic solidarity, in which specialization makes people interdependent.

"According to Max Weber, modernity is when traditional thinking (a great dependence on religion and superstition) is replaced by rationality. Weber had a generally pessimistic view of modernity, fearing the dehumanizing effects of rational organization.Karl Marx viewed modernity from a European perspective, describing modernity as the triumph of capitalism over feudalism. Marx had a pessimistic view of capitalist society because of the inevitable conflicts that must arise. He advocated classlessness and equality in society.

Essentially Peter Berger acknowledges the theories of Tonnies, Durkheim, Weber, and Marx, while making his own points, particularly because he has a more recent (and therefore, to some degree, more relevant) perspective from which to base his theories. Berger has particularly astute observations on the present state of organized religion.