Introduction to Modernity

Modernity is presented as not just a "what," but a "who" - a living entity that influences our ways of knowing and being. The author suggests that modernity is akin to a story that has expired yet holds a grip on our collective psyche. By acknowledging that modernity's vitality is faltering, we are encouraged to prepare for its end and learn from its "final teachings." This process involves embracing the void that its absence may leave, which could offer serenity and new beginnings. The chapter outlines the relevance of identifying and aligning with stories that promote healing and well-being.

Contested Definitions

Modernity, a controversial and multifaceted concept, is hotly debated across academic disciplines. Its origins, purpose, and implications are varied in scholarly narratives, ranging from responses to medieval church authority to the emergence of the Enlightenment. Some view it as a universal civilizing project, while others critique it as an imposed Western agenda. The book takes a position that modernity can teach valuable lessons during its decline, advocating for a sober and responsible engagement with modernity's benefits and flaws.

Modernity/Coloniality

The author brings attention to the term modernity/coloniality, which highlights the inherent violence and unsustainability within the continuation of modern benefits. This term challenges the common perception that modernity’s damaging aspects are merely collateral damage rather than prerequisites for its existence. It is emphasized that modernity and coloniality are inseparable, with conquest as a driving force. This understanding challenges the erasure of colonial repercussions and reconceptualizes the role of modernity in global power dynamics.

Humans versus “Nature”

Criticism of modernity/coloniality involves scrutiny of the philosophical underpinnings of human exceptionalism and anthropocentrism, which emphasize human superiority and separability from nature. The origins of this mindset stem from ancient philosophy and religious texts, promoting a disconnect from the broader, living planetary system. The chapter suggests that alternative ways of knowing that don't adhere to the ontological framework of modernity are often lost in translation, reduced to concepts within the dominant narrative of modernity/coloniality.

Indexing the World into Words

The belief in unequivocal knowledge, a hallmark of modernity/coloniality, is criticized for the desire to categorically index the world into words. This tendency limits our perception and understanding, biasing us towards finding meaning while possibly overlooking sensorial experiences. The author argues that this impulse hinders the communication of relationships with language that exceed mere representation.

Constitutive Denials

The chapter outlines four core denials that are considered integral to maintaining modernity/coloniality: denial of systemic violence, denial of ecological limits, denial of entanglement (interconnectedness), and denial of the complexity of global challenges. These denials serve to preserve modernity's perceived benevolence and feasibility while hindering our ability to genuinely confront and address its foundational issues.

Academic Critiques

The book posits that academia often perpetuates the narratives that support modernity while only allowing critiques that don’t threaten the system's continuity. Restricted by the framework of modernity itself, academia operates like a theater where both the celebration and critique of modernity are contained within its walls. This symbolic theater becomes the totality of the world for those within it, thus maintaining the status quo.

Modernity Is Faster than Thought

The author conveys that modernity's influence on our unconscious is more rapid than our ability to comprehend it. This preconscious conditioning is explored through an exercise, "CIRCULAR," which lays out eight patterns that modernity/coloniality rewards and which hinder the development of alternative perspectives. These patterns must be noticed and challenged without seeking personal moral superiority, but rather to increase our capacity for humility, honesty, humor, and self-reflection. The chapter concludes by inviting readers to deepen their engagement with the hospicing of modernity.