Modern Age Reflection

This course is about our age, the Modern Age. More precisely, it is about Modernity or the spirit of our time. It explores how did the modern world come to its present condition, what are its defining characteristics, its outcomes, its aspirations, questions and problems. It deals primarily with the presuppositions and consequences of the two "cumulative and mutually reinforcing processes": (1) Rationalization (development of market economy coupled with the rise of state bureaucracy and political participation), and (2) Secularization (disintegration of religious world view and creation of autonomous spheres of science, morality and art).

The secular character of our age and culture has brought about a rational attititude toward the past and

While trying to show the variety of developments that make up our age it focuses more on the ideas and achievements that provide the underpinning for the functioning of our civilization than on particular social events, military conflicts, economic fluctuations and political arrangements that externally delineate the unfolding of modern history. We are interested in uncovering the fundamental world views and operating principles that profoundly influence the world today - not in narrating the story of particular regions and periods of Western history. Thus this course belongs rather to the History of mentality than to the traditional political history.
Course Objectives:
The primary objective of the course is to master some fundamental facts about our age and to acquire at least a general knowledge of the main components of its current stage. The participants are expected to learn the basic concepts of modern history, economics, sociology, politics, science, technology, philosophy, art and spirituality. By realizing that these areas of pursuit develop simultaneously, that they influence each other while retaining their specific autonomy, the participants should get a grip of the complex developments that make up our age in its fascinating