The Problem of Modernity

This essay looks at the decline of tradition as an unfortunate ongoing event that affects heart, mind and soul on a fundamental level. Nevertheless we have achieved great advancements, especially in medicine and poverty reduction. How are we to square the collapse of ontological quality with the alleviation of suffering around the globe? Is there a final answer to this question? Includes a list for further reading.

Quiet academic type from North West England. BA English, MA Renaissance Literature. I studied in exile by the rivers of Babylon for 3 years, aka Cambridge. And I descended into Egypt, aka PricewaterhouseCoopers. Now I live in a spiritual hermitage where I study literature, philosophy and religion. I am a Roman Catholic convert, and particularly find spiritual fulfilment in the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Liturgy of the Hours. Beer, wine, and spirits are my three branches of government. I am currently especially interested in French and Italian red. Philosophy is really the driving force of my life, and I always seek to question and open up new vistas on being. From Classical ethics to Medieval metaphysics to existentialism, I like to run the gamut of philosophical thought. Poetry is an abiding passion of mine. Finally, a list of books I hold very close to my heart: Augustine, 'Confessions'; Bonaventure, 'Journey of the Mind to God'; Dante, 'The Divine Comedy'; Plato, 'Phaedrus'; Cervantes, 'Don Quixote'; 'The Bhagavad Gita', & of course, 'The Bible'.