Paternalism and Democracy: Navigating Societal Complexities

In this thought-provoking discussion, political philosopher and metamodern thinker Daniel Görtz offers a radical new lens for making sense of our conflicting modern era. As a leader of "the Nordic school" and co-author of the influential "Hanzi Freinacht" book series, Daniel argues that both traditional and progressive worldviews are ultimately flawed and self-undermining.

He posits that metamodernism can coordinate the legitimate perspectives of traditionalists, mainstream modernity, and the postmodern critics - without simply defaulting to absolutist stances that inevitably alienate and silence others. Daniel unpacks how metamodernism's "sincere irony" and "serious playfulness" allow for the creative leaps needed to transcend modernism's limitations and postmodernism's self-defeating deconstructions.

Drawing from developmental theory and integral thought, he envisions an evolved societal framework that is nevertheless uncompromising in including and negotiating multiple value systems. By taking a "metamodern" approach grounded in nuanced coordination of conflicting perspectives, Daniel offers a timely third way for healing our culture wars and evolving beyond the modern/postmodern deadlock.