Modernity

 

 

Abstract

The paper by Enrique Dussel seeks to offer a broader definition of modernity that is inclusive of the role played by Europe and other regions whose contribution had a significant impact on how people view modernity today. According to the author, the major problem with the current definition of modernity is because it fails to factor in the contributions made by regions such as China and Southeast Asia. The author relies on existing information regarding modernity and adds on information that has been left out due to people’s belief that Europe is responsible for the emergence of modernity. From the findings, it is evident that modernity is a product of activities from different regions; Europe included and should reflect the same in practice. The information discussed is therefore crucial to understanding the concept of modernity and why it should be improved to trans-modernity.

 

 

Modernity

Introduction

Enrique Dussel offers a compelling argument on the topic of modernity, its evolution and some limitations that have attributed to, according to Dussel, its failure to encompass all aspects of modernity. His argument is based on the belief that the concept of modernity is based on the common belief that the centrality of Europe is only two centuries old. While events that have transpired in modernity current mind frame does offer a satisfactory understanding of modernity, the seclusion of events and contributions from other regions and people in history has created an environment where the western culture is considered as the origin or center for modernity.

            Dussel’s argument is based on the argument that modernity, by its current definition, fails to encompass all technical, economic and social activities that people from different geographical backgrounds engage in on a daily basis. The author therefore believes that trans-modernity should be used in its stead as it transcends the existing concepts of western modernity to include input from other regions such as China and their role in improving the existing concepts of modernization in the twenty first century (Dussel, n.d). Dussel further argues that the existing concept of modernity has a negative impact on multiple cultures such as Chinese, Islam and Hindu as their input towards modernization is often overlooked. The author therefore believes that trans-modernity will allow for people to focus on contributions made by countries like China during modernization (Dussel, n.d). Taking attention away from the Western world will allow researchers to seek out more information regarding other areas where modernization was taking place and therefore create awareness on the role that other nations had and continue to have in society.

The history of modernity can be traced back to the first Eurocentrism period where Europe was regarded as being more advanced therefore had more influence over other regions. This is especially because Europe has Greek and Medieval Latin origins and was therefore responsible for producing the systems and values that were used universally during modernization. According to Dussel, Europe’s Eurocentric position during the enlightenment and romantic period ensured that the region was at the center of world history and is therefore seen as the major contributor to modernity (Dussel, n.d). While this may have been the case, the author strongly argues that the Eurocentric period is only the period in which history became distorted and modernity started. However, there have been great developments from enlightenment thinkers like Kant and Hegel who argue that although ideas of despotism and freedom started in the west, it is just one geographic region but not the only contributing factor that brought about modernity.

The author argues that  the current definition of modernity fails to take into account the role played by other nations and people in the history of modernization despite their involvement having a significant impact on the development of what people refer to as modernity. Often times, modernity is associated with the discovery of America, the world system and capitalism (Dussel, n.d). The belief is however as a result of the exposure that Europe and the West had during the renaissance period. Achievements like the scientific discovery of silver and gold; introduction of a new labor force; discovery of new types of food like potatoes and corn; and agriculture attribute most of the modernization processes to the west (Dussel, n.d). In addition, the Caravel discovered by the Portuguese made it possible for Europeans to cross the ocean and sail to new lands where they would spread their influence. Europe is therefore seen as starting the globalization process that led to the existence of the concepts of modernity that governs society today. The power and control that Europe had throughout history gave them an added advantage over the Islamic world, China, Southeast Asia and Hindustan (Dussel, n.d). Despite the achievements made by Europe however, countries like China continued to contribute to modernization. Dussells therefore tries to draw attention to the achievements made by other regions as a way to expand the concept of modernity and bring about trans-modernity.

            To achieve this, Dussel uses his work as a call to action, urging the reader to come up with a new way of interpreting modernity that is inclusive of the events that was not factored in when creating a general understanding of modernity. Other the contributions from the European region, Dussel argues that inclusion of contributions from other cultures excluded in the current definition of modernity could help attain a better understanding of modernity and the impact that other regions had in the process (Dussel, n.d). Since the current version of modernity focuses on events and achievements made by Europe, trans-modernity will expand the knowledge and information to include cultural moments, events and beliefs that existed outside Europe but had a significant impact on the development of modernity. While Europe did make various developments and significantly changed the way people interact with their environment, the magnitude of its involvement in modernization should in not take away from the achievements that regions such as China had before, during and after the existing concept of modernity (Dussel, n.d).  According to the author, since the customs and traditions from regions such as China and Southeast Asia are still dominant and in existence, it goes to prove that the influence that such areas had on modernity is still present and bears the same level of significance as the input from Europe. Trans-modernity should therefore be used as an upgrade from previous notions about modernity as it offers a better explanation of the parties that were involved in the early stages of the concept of modernity.

Conclusion

Throughout the paper, he author supports the opinion that expanding the definition of modernity under the core principles of trans-modernity could create a better understanding of modernity and also bring about equality. Through it, overlooked cultures and human richness can get the exposure and representation it deserves and also limit the added advantage that Europe has over other regions. Transnational capitalist markets will also operate under better policies as new regions will be given more control over commodities such as food and other resources. Instead of limiting development to a specific region, modernity will take on a more versatile, tolerant and inclusive of input from different regions other than Europe. Trans-modernity will therefore create a society that reflects the input from different cultures and whose understanding of modernity is unbiased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Dussel E, (n.d) “World-systems and Trans-modernity”