594. Triggers of philosophical change
In the previous items in this blog, I gave a rendering
of Stephen Toulmin’s account of the
change of ideas and perspectives since the 16th century Renaissance,
in the development of the second phase of ‘modernity’, since the 17th
century.
This entailed a shift to universalism, intolerance, neglect
of individuality, geometry as the ideal of science, abstract theory independent
of time or context, dogmatism, disregard and even disdain of practice,
background and history.
Why did this happen? Toulmin asked himself this
question, and came up with two fundamental urges of people: flight from uncertainty
and inclination towards hierarchy, deemed to be necessary to maintain order, in
the flight from uncertainty.
This mentality started to erode in the second half of
the 20th century, with the rise of tolerance, acceptance of individuality and
variety, sciences of man and society, rejection of hierarchy, non-abstract art,
organic architecture, scepticism regarding science.
However, I added that in the 21st century
we seem to be backsliding, in a renewed flight from uncertainty, and a re-appreciation
of authoritarian systems. We seem to go overboard in the appreciation of emotions
and individuality, to the neglect of reason, logic, knowledge, facts and
reciprocity in relations.
The most fundamental urge seems to be the flight from
uncertainty, and the evasion of risk, with the demand on government to take
over risks.
It is dubious that hierarchy is needed for order. The
opposite, with leaders paying attention to the conditions and opinions of workers
or citizens, seems to be better, creating more satisfaction and stability.
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