Minds Almost Meeting Modernism (Agnes Callard & Robin Hanson)
Oct 10, 2024
Explore the essence of modernism through influential writers like Musil, Joyce, and Woolf. Discover how historical events shaped themes of fragmentation and identity in literature. The conversation dives into the evolving role of elites amidst cultural shifts, from modernism to postmodernism. Analyze the dichotomy between genuine innovation and fleeting fashion. They also reflect on the tumultuous cultural shift to modernism and the interplay of freedom and dogmatism in today's society. It's a thought-provoking journey through literature and philosophy.
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Cultural Drift in Modernism
- Modernist literature reflects a cultural drift where inherited values feel irrelevant.
- This drift creates a sense of alienation and a need to critically examine culture.
Honor in Broch's Sleepwalkers
- In Broch's "The Sleepwalkers," a character's brother dies in a duel for honor.
- The character's father's insistence on "honor" highlights the disconnect with the past.
Intellectualism in Modernism
- Modernist literature is more intellectual and abstract than previous eras.
- It features introspection, theorizing, and aphoristic insights into the human condition.