Scan barcode
A review by intoxicatedcake
The Malaise of Modernity by Charles Taylor
3.0
This work of examining the origin of the modern moral framework encourages a difficult piece of introspective thought on the subject of self. The author works to convey his view of how morality has shifted, not from some "good" to "bad", but simply to something different than our grandparents, or even parents, had experienced during their formative years. To this end, it allows the opportunity of self-evaluation for the audience as Taylor describes the his view of self-realization and its consequences. It is a good inducement to introspection and self-awareness, as, whether or not you agree with his thesis, it provides good challenge to the reader without asserting a "good/bad" binary that might prevent the audience from placing themselves in the argument.
While the general thrust of this lecture is strong, Taylor readily admits that he doesn't have all the answers, and is also aware that his arguments resemble sketches and outlines in the latter sections. Consequently, while I found myself enjoying the early sections of the book, as it went on I found myself less enthralled with the subject. Additionally, the specialized language involved with the subject meant that as the book went on I found myself with a slimmer grasp upon the subject as the pool of these terms grew.
I have little doubt that there is more to this lecture than I have absorbed. The specialized language and the difficult nature of the subject matter suggest this book as a work of more serious study than my fairly casual reading provided. I certainly found it interesting, and it provided me some good food for thought, but has also revealed itself as somewhat inaccessible to a general reader.
While the general thrust of this lecture is strong, Taylor readily admits that he doesn't have all the answers, and is also aware that his arguments resemble sketches and outlines in the latter sections. Consequently, while I found myself enjoying the early sections of the book, as it went on I found myself less enthralled with the subject. Additionally, the specialized language involved with the subject meant that as the book went on I found myself with a slimmer grasp upon the subject as the pool of these terms grew.
I have little doubt that there is more to this lecture than I have absorbed. The specialized language and the difficult nature of the subject matter suggest this book as a work of more serious study than my fairly casual reading provided. I certainly found it interesting, and it provided me some good food for thought, but has also revealed itself as somewhat inaccessible to a general reader.