Comparative Study Of Modernity Thoughts Between Marx And Giddens

Modernity is one of the most important issues among western intellectuals and theorists. Their discussion mainly focuses on its origin as well as its relationship with enlightenment. Marx claims that modernity originates from modern production. It takes rationality as the core, and liberty as the fundamental value. Secularization of modernity develops western society into a rational and secular one. Issues concerning modernity can't be separated from post-modernity discourse. Post-modernity comes from and surpasses modernity, and it is characteristic of the criticism of modernity.Marx interprets modernity mainly from three angles--- viewing the logic of modernity with the logic of capital, viewing the internal changes of modernity with theory of contradiction, and viewing the evolution of modernity from the viewpoint of world history. Marx gives full affirmation to the positive achievements of modernity. Meanwhile, Marxist philosophy opposes traditional metaphysics. It exhibits problem consciousness, critical spirit, and an implication of post-modernity.Research of Giddens mainly focuses on the reflection on and reconstruction of modernity, redefining its properties, characteristics and dynamic mechanism. Giddens critically evaluates the modernity theories of Marx, TuErGan and webber. He claims that modernity has four institutional dimensions, and that post-modernity overpasses modernity and has four dimensions as well.Giddens research of modernity is greatly influenced by Marx. He maintains that Marx's analysis of capitalism is beyond comparison and Marx's critical theory of capitalism can still apply to modern times. He advocates that capitalism should be criticized. Marx keeps viewing the evolution of modernity from the viewpoint of world history. Under the impact of Marx's reflection on globalization and modernity, Giddens believes that globalization results from modernity, and globalization dimension is the reflection and expansion of modernity dimension.With the development of society, various contradictions and conflicts have been noticeably increasing and modernity crisis comes into being, which includes human dissimilation, loss of freedom, and contradiction between enlightenment rationality and real life. Marx criticizes modernity, especially that of capitalism. The criticism is mainly exhibited in three aspects--the ideology, political economics and social politics. It is of great importance, subverting metaphysics surpassing the opposite thoughts of modernity and post-modernity, and putting forward a conception that surpasses modernity. Giddens'criticism of modernity consists of two aspects. First, it ranges from political liberation to life politics. Giddens claims that political liberation produces civilization and progress, but it has problems itself. On the other hand, life politics is an order brought about by reflection, and it realizes itself. Second, the conception of post-modern society is put forward. Giddens describes the four dimensions of post-modernity as well as the framework of post-modernity conception. As is shown by Giddens" criticism of modernity, he has noticed modernity crisis, discovered contradictions and problems of capitalism, and therefore proposes the conception of life politics and post-modern society. All of these are of positive significance, which is illustrated in his criticism of contemporary capitalism and the proposal of approach that surpasses modernity. It can also be discovered from Giddens'criticism of modernity that it has made a lot of supplements to that of Marx.Scholars have put forward various proposals for the plight modernity is faced with. Marx's and Giddens' reflection on getting rid of modernity crisis is more representative. Marx has drawn a conclusion that"everything existing should be ruthlessly criticized" and "to discover a new world while criticizing the old world'". Giddens suggests that we should take a proper attitude to the future, create a mode of Utopia realism, and reduce risks to the minimum.With the comparison of Marxs modernity to that of Giddens, the inspiration about new modernity in China may be achieved. First, situation of new modernity in China should be taken seriously--- problems are continual, criticism never stops and the undertaking has not yet been accomplished. Second, the cultural recognition crisis of modernity should be solved."Constructive" cultural recognition should be emphasized, and modernity should be treated with a "constructive" attitude. Third, rational spirit should be developed, including both individual rationality and public rationality. Fourth, individuality should be fostered, so that people's freedom and all-round development may be attained. Fifth, humanity concern of modernity practice should be attached importance to, and it may be developed into dynamic mechanism of modernity. Finally, a road to socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics should be taken.