Epochalism is an attitude of respect for the progressive spirit of the age and for social and technological advancement, which was contrasted by Clifford Geertz with what he termed the (essentialist) valorisation of traditional values. He viewed this distinction as a central social polarity pervading developing nations.[1]
More broadly, the term used has been used to describe the post-Fordist, postmodern belief that the current era or epoch represents a fundamental clean break with the past; is something unique in human history; and due to this radical change, previous rules will no longer apply.[2][3]
Epochalism in the developing world can be seen purely as a progressive force, favouring movement toward secularisation and industrial advance, as opposed to a regressive return to the traditional values of community and Gemeinschaft.[4] However, in practice the situation is likely to be more complicated: nationalist struggles for independence have often relied on essentialist appeals to authentic ethnic communities and cultural practices, as well as to epochalism, in order to free themselves from dependence on a Western model/Western control.[5]
Internet epochalism
The rapid rise of the World Wide Web led many digerati to see it as an unprecedented human phenomenon, wholly divorced from all past experience.[6]Evgeny Morozov used the term epochalism to describe the prevalent 21st-century belief that "one is living in truly exceptional times – an intellectual fallacy I call 'epochalism'".[7] Previous technological advances, as with the age of railways or the age of broadcasting,[8] had of course made very similar claims for themselves; and A. E. Housman a century before had denounced the mind "which commands no outlook upon the past or the future, but believes that the fashion of the present, unlike all fashions heretofore, will endure perpetually".[9]
Late modernity however, with its shortening of awareness of time-spans and its focus on the present,[10] makes the short-sightedness of epochalism - with what Morozov saw as its dark fetishism of Internet-based solutions[11] - an increasingly plausible intellectual posture.
^B. K. Khlief, Language, Ethnicity and Education in Wales (1980) p. 6
^Edward Said, Culture and Imperialism (1993) p. 263 and p. 371
^A. Briggs/P. Burke, A Social History of the Media (2002) p. 312
^E. Morozov, To Save Everything, Click Here (2013) p. 36
^A. Briggs/P. Burke, A Social History of the Media (2002) p. 263
^A. E. Housman, Collected Poems and Selected Prose (1988) p. 312
^I. Craib, The Importance of Disappointment (1994) p. 197
^E. Morozov, To Save Everything, Click Here (2013) p. 36
External links
"Against Epochalism: An Analysis of Conceptions of Change in British Sociology" by Mike Savage in Cultural Sociology July 2009 vol. 3 no. 2 217-238
January 16, 2023
epochalism, attitude, respect, progressive, spirit, social, technological, advancement, which, contrasted, clifford, geertz, with, what, termed, essentialist, valorisation, traditional, values, viewed, this, distinction, central, social, polarity, pervading, d. Epochalism is an attitude of respect for the progressive spirit of the age and for social and technological advancement which was contrasted by Clifford Geertz with what he termed the essentialist valorisation of traditional values He viewed this distinction as a central social polarity pervading developing nations 1 More broadly the term used has been used to describe the post Fordist postmodern belief that the current era or epoch represents a fundamental clean break with the past is something unique in human history and due to this radical change previous rules will no longer apply 2 3 Contents 1 Polarities in emerging economies 2 Internet epochalism 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksPolarities in emerging economies EditEpochalism in the developing world can be seen purely as a progressive force favouring movement toward secularisation and industrial advance as opposed to a regressive return to the traditional values of community and Gemeinschaft 4 However in practice the situation is likely to be more complicated nationalist struggles for independence have often relied on essentialist appeals to authentic ethnic communities and cultural practices as well as to epochalism in order to free themselves from dependence on a Western model Western control 5 Internet epochalism EditThe rapid rise of the World Wide Web led many digerati to see it as an unprecedented human phenomenon wholly divorced from all past experience 6 Evgeny Morozov used the term epochalism to describe the prevalent 21st century belief that one is living in truly exceptional times an intellectual fallacy I call epochalism 7 Previous technological advances as with the age of railways or the age of broadcasting 8 had of course made very similar claims for themselves and A E Housman a century before had denounced the mind which commands no outlook upon the past or the future but believes that the fashion of the present unlike all fashions heretofore will endure perpetually 9 Late modernity however with its shortening of awareness of time spans and its focus on the present 10 makes the short sightedness of epochalism with what Morozov saw as its dark fetishism of Internet based solutions 11 an increasingly plausible intellectual posture See also EditCyber utopianism Cyborg anthropology Epoch Social innovation Strategic essentialism Three age systemReferences Edit Clifford Geertz The Interpretation of Culture 1973 p 240 1 E Morozov To Save Everything Click Here 2013 p 44 J Urry Climate Change and Society 2011 p 36 B K Khlief Language Ethnicity and Education in Wales 1980 p 6 Edward Said Culture and Imperialism 1993 p 263 and p 371 A Briggs P Burke A Social History of the Media 2002 p 312 E Morozov To Save Everything Click Here 2013 p 36 A Briggs P Burke A Social History of the Media 2002 p 263 A E Housman Collected Poems and Selected Prose 1988 p 312 I Craib The Importance of Disappointment 1994 p 197 E Morozov To Save Everything Click Here 2013 p 36External links Edit Against Epochalism An Analysis of Conceptions of Change in British Sociology by Mike Savage in Cultural Sociology July 2009 vol 3 no 2 217 238 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Epochalism amp oldid 972039763, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
