IX. Modernity

The concept of modernity is central to Rosa’s critical theory in general and his analysis of uncontrollability in particular. In the context of modernity, making the world controllable involves rendering it (1) visible, (2) physically reachable or accessible, (3) manageable, and (4) useful. These four components are firmly embedded in the institutional arrangements by which modern societies are sustained: (1) science, (2) technology, (3) the economy, and (4) law and the state. While Rosa’s approach is largely persuasive, it could have been more fine-grained in terms of elucidating the main differences and similarities between ‘modern’ and ‘late-modern’ societies—notably with regard to their (1) economic, (2) epistemic, (3) political, (4) organizational, (5) cultural, and (6) philosophical dimensions.