Habermas

Habermas believes that modernity is something that is not finished. A quote from the reading that caught my attention was, “A modern work becomes a classic because it has once been authentically modern” (99). When something new comes about such as a new movie, piece of art, or never before seen fashion, if its something that hasn’t been done before if often stirs up conversation. Then it becomes something that everyone has to see because it is a change from tradition. When something else comes to light that grabs everyone’s attention, the previous becomes something like a classic. I think this is why Habermas said, “The relation between ‘modern’ and ‘classical’ has definitely lost a fixed historical reference” (99).

I like how Habermas tries to lay out and explain some definitions of modernity. Many other theorists just jump into their point of view without explaining what modernity is in their eyes. One of the definitions Habermas gives is, “Modernity revolts against the normalizing functions of tradition; modernity lives on the experience of rebelling against all that is normative” (100). After reading Habermas, I am able to understand his point of view that modernism is an incomplete project. It seems that it is continuous and evolving.