For class we were told to read Habermas’s piece “Modernity-An Incomplete Project.” While I respect Habermas opinions and ideas, I found it very difficult to fully understand what he had to say. I did, however, try my best to analyze his main points about modernity. In Hebermas writing, he discusses the period of Enlightenment. This era, which took place during the 18th century, was a time when people broke away from typical traditions and stepped out of the box to create new ideas. During the era of Enlightenment, people tested the boundaries of religion, art, literature, etc. and as a result developed life into what it is today. This sense of enlightenment is just what modernity is doing. According to Hembermas, “Modernity revolts against the normalizing functions of tradition; modernity lives on the experience of rebelling against all that is normative” (Habermas 100). This effort of modernity is exactly what took place during the enlightenment era. Modernity is constantly changing and breaking away from what is “normal.” The idea of modern art is that it is different from all the rest and expanding our minds to other possibilities. Like what many did in the 18th century, modernity is pushing our limits and questioning the unknown to achieve greatness.
When referring back to the title, “Modernity-An incomplete Project,” Hembermas is asking the question, should we give up on the possible outcomes of modernity? Or should we press onward to experience the positives that may come? When we look back to the Enlightenment and see how many great ideas and inventions derived from that period, in Hebermas eyes, it would be foolish to give up on modernity. Although the intentions of modernity may not prevail, the positives could be life changing.
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