Present age
Encyclopedia
The term "present age" is a concept in the philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard
. A formulation of the modern age
can be found in Kierkegaard's work Two Ages:
Kierkegaard argues the present age drains the meaning out of ethical concepts through passionless indolence. The concepts are still used, but are drained of all meaning by virtue of their detachment from a life view which is passion-generated and produces consistent action.
, and Alasdair MacIntyre
allocates this concept and applies it as an analysis of nihilism
. Hubert Dreyfus
, for example in his essay "Anonymity vrs. Commitment in the Present Age", argues that Kierkegaard, "who was always concerned with nihilism, warns that his age is characterized by a disinterested reflection and curiosity that levels all differences of status and value."
Other thinkers apply the concept as a symptom of herd behavior
or mob mentality
. Norman Lillegard argues that the present age is "incapable of anything but 'crowd actions' which are not true actions at all."
Philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard
Søren Kierkegaard's philosophy has been a major influence in the development of 20th century philosophy, especially existentialism and postmodernism. Kierkegaard was a 19th century Danish philosopher who has been called the "Father of Existentialism"...
. A formulation of the modern age
Modern Age
Modern Age is an American conservative academic quarterly journal, founded in 1957 by Russell Kirk in close collaboration with Henry Regnery...
can be found in Kierkegaard's work Two Ages:
Kierkegaard argues the present age drains the meaning out of ethical concepts through passionless indolence. The concepts are still used, but are drained of all meaning by virtue of their detachment from a life view which is passion-generated and produces consistent action.
Interpretations
Several contemporary philosophers, including Anthony Rudd, John DavenportJohn Davenport
John Davenport may refer to:* John Davenport , Puritan minister and colonist in New Haven Colony* John Davenport , U.S. Representative from Connecticut, 1799–1816...
, and Alasdair MacIntyre
Alasdair MacIntyre
Alasdair Chalmers MacIntyre is a British philosopher primarily known for his contribution to moral and political philosophy but known also for his work in history of philosophy and theology...
allocates this concept and applies it as an analysis of nihilism
Nihilism
Nihilism is the philosophical doctrine suggesting the negation of one or more putatively meaningful aspects of life. Most commonly, nihilism is presented in the form of existential nihilism which argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value...
. Hubert Dreyfus
Hubert Dreyfus
Hubert Lederer Dreyfus is an American philosopher. He is a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley....
, for example in his essay "Anonymity vrs. Commitment in the Present Age", argues that Kierkegaard, "who was always concerned with nihilism, warns that his age is characterized by a disinterested reflection and curiosity that levels all differences of status and value."
Other thinkers apply the concept as a symptom of herd behavior
Herd behavior
Herd behavior describes how individuals in a group can act together without planned direction. The term pertains to the behavior of animals in herds, flocks and schools, and to human conduct during activities such as stock market bubbles and crashes, street demonstrations, sporting events,...
or mob mentality
Mob Mentality
Mob Mentality is a split 7" and album by Dropkick Murphys and The Business. Originally, the bands put out a split 7" single with the name Mob Mentality. This single consisted of three songs, two which were each band covering one of the other band's songs, and the third was an original song...
. Norman Lillegard argues that the present age is "incapable of anything but 'crowd actions' which are not true actions at all."