Chapter 2
Our Old Challenge:
Modernism
Discussion Guide for Modernism
The chart on page 21 provides an outline of the issues discussed in
chapters 2-4. Briefly review the chart, focusing on the column under
modernism.
The easiest way to understand postmodernism is to see that it is a
rejection or revolt against the assumptions of modernism. This chapter
is arranged around the four key areas of modernist assumptions:
- Human nature
- Human autonomy
- Human knowledge
- Human progress.
- As you review the chart's left column, how do you see these assumptions
working out in our culture today? To help answer this question, think
about each of the following four quotes:
"Each human being is a superbly constructed, astonishingly compact,
self-ambulatory computer." Carl Sagan
What modernist assumptions are implied in this statement?
What will such assumptions lead to?
"Man must realize that a fundamental law of necessity reigns throughout
the whole realm of Nature and that his existence is subject to the law
of eternal struggle and strife. He will then feel that there cannot
be a separate law for mankind in a world in which planets and suns follow
their orbits, where moons and planets trace their destined paths, where
the strong are always the masters of the weak and where those subject
to such laws must obey them or be destroyed. Man must also submit to
the eternal principles of this supreme wisdom. He may try to understand
them but he can never free himself from their sway."
What modernist assumptions are implied in this statement?
What will such assumptions lead to?
"Nothing is in the mind that isn't first in the senses."
Classical statement of empiricism
What modernist assumptions are implied in this statement?
What will such assumptions lead to?
"Such is the aim of the work that I have undertaken . . . to show
by appeal to reason and fact that nature has set no term to the perfection
of human faculties; that the perfectibility of man is truly infinite;
and that the progress of this perfectibility from now onward is independent
of any powers that might wish to halt it, has no other limit than the
duration of the globe upon which nature has cast us." The Marquis
de Condorcet
What modernist assumptions are implied in this statement?
What will such assumptions lead to?
- In some ways, postmodernism offers important balance to modern views.
How do you think our culture has been negatively effected by these modernist
ideas?
Facilitator's Guide, Chapter 2:
Our Old Challenge: Modernism
The chart on page 21 provides an outline of the issues discussed in
chapters 2-4. Briefly review the chart, focusing on the column under
modernism.
The easiest way to understand postmodernism is to see that it is a
rejection or revolt against the assumptions of modernism. This chapter
is arranged around the four key areas of modernist assumptions:
- Human nature
- Human autonomy
- Human knowledge
- Human progress.
- As you review the chart's left column, how do you see these assumptions
working out in our culture today? To help answer this question, think
about each of the following four quotes:
"Each human being is a superbly constructed, astonishingly compact,
self-ambulatory computer." Carl Sagan
- Modernists view people as machines. No wonder some are prepared to
practice abortion and euthanasia. Compare Sagan's statement to the next
quote.
"Man must realize that a fundamental law of necessity reigns throughout
the whole realm of Nature and that his existence is subject to the law
of eternal struggle and strife. He will then feel that there cannot
be a separate law for mankind in a world in which planets and suns follow
their orbits, where moons and planets trace their destined paths, where
the strong are always the masters of the weak and where those subject
to such laws must obey them or be destroyed. Man must also submit to
the eternal principles of this supreme wisdom. He may try to understand
them but he can never free himself from their sway."
- Don't tell you people until after they discuss the quote for awhile,
but this quote is from Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, p. 140! Where
did this mechanistic thinking about humans lead in his case?
"Nothing is in the mind that isn't first in the senses."
Classical statement of empiricism
- Isn't it true that we can receive knowledge from sources other than
the five senses? Can't God speak to us through spiritual conviction?
- If modernistic thinkers only know what comes to their senses, as
they say, how did they find out that no one else can know anything by
any other means? If you or I had a direct experience with God, a modernist
observer would have no way to determine whether it was authentic using
only his senses, right?
- Therefore, empiricism leads to an arrogance in the form of claiming
to know the exact limits of human learning and knowledge, even though
no empirical means exists for acquiring such knowledge. This is a blind
faith claim, not an empirical finding.
"Such is the aim of the work that I have undertaken . . . to show
by appeal to reason and fact that nature has set no term to the perfection
of human faculties; that the perfectibility of man is truly infinite;
and that the progress of this perfectibility from now onward is independent
of any powers that might wish to halt it, has no other limit than the
duration of the globe upon which nature has cast us." The Marquis
de Condorcet
- How has this optimism worked out? He thinks man has no limits. Have
we become more aware of our limits recently?
- See the arrogance in this statement. Such arrogance has offended
not only postmodernists, but also theists.
- Modernism has produced unexpected negative outcomes in society. See
how many your group can name.
Possible answers:
- Reducing all knowledge claims to scientific verification eliminates
the possibility of knowing spiritual or moral truths.
- Human dignity lacks any meaningful basis, because as biological machines,
there really isn't any difference between people and animals.
- No wonder modernistic, materialistic theories like Marxism have resulted
in unbelievable immoral atrocities.
- Progress, as it is conceived by modernists, has had a disastrous
effect on the environment. It has also been at the expense of native
populations and given rise to colonial exploitation.
- Religion, and specifically Christianity, has been effectively pushed
out of its position of respect in society. Millions have been convinced
that Christianity is unscientific.
- We do not accept, however, that war and violence are the result of
modernism. (See Chapter 14) Also, realize that religious worldviews
have produced atrocities as well. Why is this?
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