The Decline of Aspirations in Modern Society

This chapter examines the intricate relationship between communist ideology and liberal democratic thought, focusing on how both influence human aspirations and societal norms. It critiques the shift from a moral-based concept of dignity to a more arbitrary notion of human rights, alongside the degradation of societal values driven by bourgeois influences and practical criteria. The discussion highlights the tension between technological advancement and the erosion of higher aspirations, positing that the arts may hold the potential to counteract the superficiality prevalent in contemporary culture.