Acquiring modernity : : an investigation into the rise, structure, and future of the modern world / / by Paul B. Paolucci.

• Superior document: Studies in Critical Social Sciences; volume136
• VerfasserIn: Paolucci, Paul,
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden Boston : : BRILL,, 2019.
• Year of Publication: 2019
• Language: English
• Series: Studies in Critical Social Sciences; volume136.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (594 pages) :; illustrations.

In Acquiring Modernity, Paul B. Paolucci, updating classical theory, examines the nature of modern society. Investigated from a sociological perspective but written in accessible everyday language, this book provides a multifaceted account of what makes modern society what it is, from its historical roots to its current conditions. Neither traditional classroom text nor a work of detailed erudition for the specialist few, Acquiring Modernity draws on material from known historical events, scholarly research, and recent global developments to tell modernity’s story through topics such as the modern classes, religious practice, relations of gender and race, politics, environmental issues, and economic crises. Valuable reading for anyone interested in understanding contemporary life and society.

Table of Contents

Front Matter -- Copyright Page -- Preface -- Illustrations -- No Rest Until Modernity is Acquired -- Speculation Ends, Science Begins -- Divesting Philosophy’s Ultimate Word -- The Concept of Society -- History and Human Development -- A History of Struggles -- Mystical Consciousness -- Illusions to this Day -- An Inverted World -- Educating the Educator -- Windy Idealists and Frothy Youth -- Middle Class Snobbism -- Pauperism and Artificial Impoverishment -- Social Scum -- Of Souls, Sighs, and Opium -- The Cult of Nature -- World Literature -- Modern Society’s All-dominating Power -- An Impulse Never Before Known -- Head of the Movement -- Absurd Epidemics -- Swindling Joint-stock Companies -- Machines -- Rule of the Towns -- Feverish Anxiety and Astonishment -- Solids Melting into Air -- Civilization and Barbarism -- Celebrating Orgies, Blood, and Fire -- Bureaucracy and the Bureaucrats -- The Economic Existence of the State -- Democracy for their Truth -- Parliamentary Disease and the Holy Ghost -- The Executive Committee -- Modern Mythology and its Goddesses -- Rolling Back the Wheel -- The Goal of Popular Desire -- National Egoism -- Every Sect is Religious -- Disgusting Despotism -- The Sycophantic Babblers -- Applying Chemistry to Industry and Agriculture -- The Measure of Social Progress -- Defiling Republics -- A Fetish Dark and Mysterious -- The World Market -- The Political Chessboard -- Throwing Dust in People’s Eyes -- Gravedigging Megalomaniacs -- The Sorcerer -- Prevailing Tendencies -- Common Ruin -- Chains, Riddles, Worlds -- Socialist Sentimentalizing -- Whether We Want it or Not -- Afterword -- Postmodernism?.