Difference Between Modernity And Tradition

Modernity and tradition are two opposite sides of the same spectrum. As contrasted as they are, they still often go hand in hand, following one another like spring and autumn. While modernity is, in the essence, the quality or state of being “modern”, the true meaning is a little different. The present viewpoint of modernity arose in post-medieval Europe and has developed rapidly since. The key component of this viewpoint is to have the ability to approach both every-day and bigger problems with a theoretical view based upon science rather than the age-old concept of tradition. The question of “modernity or tradition” is one that arrives, often unavoidably, in every family. It often occurs between the worrying parent who wishes to uphold the family tradition and the rebellious child, to whom the tradition seems like a rather restricting way of life. Tevye and his daughters are a good example of this age-old conflict. For it is age-old… every child will seem slightly more modern to his parents than their traditions would dictate, and this process will continue to the end of time, until the nigh impossible event that tradition fades completely.

Without the concept of modernity, the human race would be stuck in a state very like the Middle Ages of Europe. Almost all of the technological progress that has been achieved over the past five-hundred years would cease to be and the majority of our race would once more be reduced to the down-trodden life of medieval peasants.