Our Modern Angst

“Modern philosophers have asked, “How do I have knowledge?” The emphasis lies upon the subject of experience. The ancient world takes its stand upon the drama of the universe, the modern world upon the inward drama of the soul.” -Alfred North Whitehead

He captures our society's malaise so well. Modern man is stuck in a phase of teenage angst, unamused by everything. Ancient man saw an eclipse and was so moved by its meaning that some societies lost their minds; some even killed their own children in its honor. Now, an eclipse is something already read about, heard about, seen in videos; it's cool, but nothing more. Like indifferent teenagers, our feelings about the eclipse outweigh the event itself.

That is the essence that Whitehead is talking about. Feelings are taking precedence over the drama of the universe. There are tragic consequences to that change. In ancient times, man was struck by how meaningful life was. Life animated him. It moved him.

Now, people wonder why they always feel tired or lacking energy - because nothing animates them! That wouldn’t be so much of an issue if they could animate themselves - if their feelings led to a passionate conviction, but they often don’t. Most modern people are functionally agnostic. They feel like life is meaningful and has purpose, but they don’t really know for sure. They feel like there might be life after death, but that might just be wishful thinking. Their feelings are placed above everything, and yet they lack the courage of conviction. It’s madness.

I know this, and yet I’m guilty of it too. That’s why I describe it as a modern illness. We all have some strange dissociation with the meaning all around us. We can’t help but be suspicious of it, and wonder if it’s secretly a trick! Is evolution deceiving me?

No, it’s not. Life is inherently meaningful. Perhaps what unnerves us is how simple and straightforward that meaning actually is—that life truly is just what it appears to be.