Irrational Motives and Systemic Revolutions in the Age of Globalisation

Abstract

The discussions concerning socalled "Postmodernism" were marked by a - partly intended - misunderstanding concerning different concepts of the Ego: While some kept on problematising an objectified Ego in society and history, others were concentrating on the nature of a subjective Ego. The latter had necessarily posed itself as a pressing problem closely related to current trends of acceleration; accelerations caused by a conjunction of global monetary dynamics and scientific-technical revolutions. This has led to the establishing of supraindividual and transnational "mega-maschines", which have since long by far surpassed the capacities of any single individual. A correlating process of overpowering is characterized by a graspable logic of development, the further research of which could prove fruitful for the future. But in order to do this it becomes necessary to clarify the interrelations between scientific-technical developments on the one and socio-political and psycho-social dynamics on the other hand, a problem which in the current discussion is very inadequately being dealt with, as e.g. illustrated by Sloterdijks attempts in this field.