Cosmopolis: The Hidden Agenda of Modernity
By Stephen Toulmin
Stephen Toulmin challenges the idea of modernism explaining its origin as an attempt to define and justify a Western mode of thinking which could in turn be applied as a justification for empiricism of the East. He calls for a new view of modernity based on historical fact rather than isolated abstract rational. He carefully weaves an interesting narrative that pinpoints the start of modernity with the assassination of King Henry IV. He outlines the role of religion in the forthcoming desire to search for stability and truth. He parallels the 30 years war with WWII and the years that followed, leading up to the peak of 1968. Overall his book makes an interesting read but his quest for objectivity leaves us with yet another personal view of a historical account of modernity.
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