The End of the Modern World

by Romano Guardini, Richard John Neuhaus (Foreword), Frederick D. Wilhelmsen (Introduction)

This expanded edition of Guardini's classic work includes the original text of The End of the Modern World, as well as the entirety of its explicit sequel, Power and Responsibility, in which Guardini analyzes modern man's conception of himself in the world and examines nature and use of power. The principle of individual responsibility weaves both works into a seamless, comprehensive, and compelling moral statement.

Genres: Philosophy, Theology, Religion, History, Catholic, Christianity, Nonfiction

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Romano Guardini was a Catholic priest, author, and academic. He was one of the most important figures in Catholic intellectual life in the 20th century.

Guardini was born in Verona, Italy in 1885. His family moved to Mainz when he was one year old and he lived in Germany for the rest of his life. After studying chemistry in Tübingen for two semesters, and economics in Munich and Berlin for three, he decided to become a priest. After studying Theology in Freiburg im Breisgau and Tübingen, he was ordained in Mainz in 1910. He briefly worked in a pastoral position before returning to Freiburg to work on his doctorate in Theology under Engelbert Krebs. He received his doctorate in 1915 for a dissertation on Bonaventure. He completed his “Habilitation” in Dogmatic Theology at the University of Bonn in 1922, again with a dissertation on Bonaventure. Throughout this period he also worked as a chaplain to the Catholic youth movement.

In 1923 he was appointed to a chair in Philosophy of Religion at the University of Berlin. In the 1935 essay “Der Heiland” (The Saviour) he criticized Nazi mythologizing of the person of Jesus and emphasized the Jewishness of Jesus. The Nazis forced him to resign from his Berlin position in 1939. From 1943 to 1945 he retired to Mooshausen, where his friend Josef Weiger had been parish priest since 1917.

In 1945 Guardini was appointed professor in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Tübingen and resumed lecturing on the Philosophy of Religion. In 1948, he became professor at the University of Munich, where he remained until retiring for health reasons in 1962.

Guardini died in Munich on 1 October 1968. He was buried in the priests’ cemetery of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Munich. His estate was left to the Catholic Academy in Bavaria that he had co-founded.

Reviews

[Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life. It showed me where the granolas and neo-cons of the world come from and that no one can take my rights away from me unless I let them trample on them. Plus, I need to fix myself before I can change anyone else.

Main theme is basically Spiderman's: with great power comes great responsibility.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK - this is NOT an easy book to read. Expect very little enjoyment out of it. Most paragraphs I had to read twice, and I'll admit I didn't complete it. However, Guardini makes a compelling statement that some of his day's problems (in the 1960s) were largely a result of the movement away from man's understanding of himself as answerable to a higher moral authority. (NOTE: remembering the book and reading reviews of it gets me reinvigorated and remembering why I rated it so high). Some of the statements (particularly from an ecological standpoint in light of global warming) are prophetic. Although it's not explicit, this book amounts to a call to spirituality, holiness, and reinvigoration of the collective human relationship with a higher power. Fascinating, and awe-inspiring. If you can get through it (which admittedly, I had a tough time with). Note to Tom - I read this on the plane ride to your wedding.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it possible that one small book, can pierce through the spirit of the age, like a needle through a thread? If doubt, then doubt no longer. This book does a fantastic job of explaining man's changing worldview through the ages up to the present age, even though this book was written in the Late 1950s it still has relevance to our present age incredibly. After giving us that metaphysical vision (or lack thereof) the author then describes the current ethical culture of our day (or lack thereof) as well.

The author of this book does a wonderful job fighting the tendency of being a doom-and-gloom pessimist, or some apocalytic visionary for the author remembers that we know not the hour of the apocalypse, and so seeks only to be a realist as he gives us not a "fix-all solution" but only the means to survive the ending of the modern world and a vision of what the new man would need to be as we confront the next age, if the author were alive today he would see how true his vision of the world has come to fruition.

[Erik]

Included in the "Catholicism Explained/Theology" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muito bom!

[Ejansand · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a neat little set of lectures - what’s coming is much worse than what’s here, and we’re just on the tip of the iceberg. Well, maybe a little deeper but we’ve a ways to go.

Basically Guardini argues that the fallout of the Modern era is leading (maybe has lead by now?) to a radically new world; one in which mankind is not prepared to live. For Guardini, this is a problem of the person’s relationship to God alongside culture’s relationship to God. Without Revelation, our most cherished values and the meaning of living shatter.

3 stars for being an overview. The thesis he’s arguing has appeal, and more than that has a real ring of truth, but really what it needs is a fuller, more scholarly treatment. To be fair this is a set of lectures, but I still think the claim at the center here really requires the nitty-gritty, well cited and supported backbone to properly shine.

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obra prima!

[David Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book before starting After Virtue by MacIntyre so It will be interesting to see how this effects my reading of that book.

Guardini as a post-WWII philosopher/theologian offers a interesting look at the intellectual history of Western civilization by writing his first essay in this book (titled "The End of the Modern World") as a metaphorical narrative where we see the evolution of man and his place in the world. This first essay is where I believe is the best of his work is on display. I find that that he gives a excellent diagnosis of why modernity has resulted in a postmodern situation of societal collapse. This essay while effective in introducing readers to modernity from a Christian perspective does not provide any cure to the ailment that we find ourselves (whether it be late 20the century or early 21st century).

Guardini's second essay in this book,titled "Power and Responsibility", is where he begins offering a way for the church to respond to the current situation. With a the well developed understanding of certain social ills and the Nietzschean/postmodern philosophy of his time, Guardini espouses a need for awareness of the alienation of industrial and bureaucratic society. Thankfully, he does not call for a return to medieval or classical ways of thought (at least not in its entirety) as the foundation he set in his previous essay involved showcasing the inherent flaws of the both ages in comparison to our modern age. In a way, it seems that Guardini takes Nietzsche's idea of a "will to power" into a new direction. The easiest way to describe it s is a Christian account of Nietzsche's belief where we assert power under the authority of God. With a biblical exousia mixed with Nietzschean undertones and Marxian views of economic alienation, Guardini offers us a solution that is somewhat vague and dissatisfying possibly, but it does introduce a need for considerations on the responsibility of exercising the power man has over the world and each other.

[Michael Folse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book is technically divided into two approximately equal-in-length mini books/essays. It’s a doozy. Don’t read it unless you really want to, which you understandably probably don’t. It was part of one one of those Amazon orders where I was already going to buy a couple books, then saw this one in the recommended, and briefly read up on it. It’s one of those where you have to artificially convince yourself that you do in fact have the interest and desire to read a book: “Oh yeah this seems really interesting. It’s on sale? Nice, I totally am down for the challenge!” Wrong, I wasn’t down for it, and I suspect that I never will be. I transparently only skimmed the second mini book after using every brain cell to try to understand the first. To summarize, Romano basically spits facts. But not the kind of facts that are scientifically verifiable. New-age thinkers might consider his prophetic analysis of the evolution of society and what’s to come to be “unfalsifiable” and completely uncorrelated, but I barely know what those things mean, so that’s all I can offer on that matter. Maybe think of it as a profound vibe check. He has some things to say about what happens when society divorces God. I’m existentially confused but he seems hard to argue with. It’s probably a 5/5 but the combination of the early 20th century vernacular and his insanely large brain made me wonder what he was saying a lot of the time

[guille (littlebitmoody) · Rating 1 out of 5]

BOOOOORIIING, I was obligated to read this to do a review, perhaps someone who likes philosophy will enjoy this better. But I didn't enjoyed, reading one page felt like reading 100. It was super repetitive and confusing. Not my type of books✋

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I swear, I probably understood 20% of this book... but of that I thought it was great!

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelent re-reading and it can be a bit repetitive, but not for that it's any less worth reading.

[Barbora Doležalová · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lze však natrvalo žít na základě donucení?

[Enrique Gomez-Serrano]

"There is only one standard by which any epoch can be fairly judged: in view of its own peculiar circumstances, to what extent did it allow for the development of human dignity?" Ch.I-3

[Manuel Weinkauf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very deep analysis of the past (starting in Antiquity) with a focus on the turmoils of the Modern Era and their end, while we move into the next era.

As usual for Guardini, the text is rather complex but beautifully written. The philosophical depth of the discussion reveals a lot of developments and connections over the ages that are not easily seen otherwise.

Probably most intriguing (and frightening) is how correctly Guardini predicted the recent developments in moral ambiguity and relativation of truths, as well as the ultimate crumbling of the fairytale that Christian values could persist in a society that „liberates“ itself from Christianity, that we see in our times.

A very intriguing if somehow dark outlook into the future.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really "heady", I had to read slowly and often reread sentences a few times to get the authors full meaning. But also very unique. I was often amazed at how something written in the 1950s, in the shadow of the horrors of WWII and the atomic bomb, could be so prophetic about things like the impact of mankind's reliance on technology, the loss of a belief and reliance and awe of God, and the essence of " power" and the responsibility that goes with it.

This is not a book about the end of the world, but about the end of an era. Lots of food for thought and prayer.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Do everything that is to be done with respect for the truth, and do it in freedom of spirit, in spite of the obstacles within and without, and in the teeth or selfishness, sloth, cowardice, popular opinion. And do it with confidence!” Pg 218

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinarily profound and prophetic book from the 50s that resonates powerfully for today. It’s a look at how the modern world is changing to something very different and how we might best face the peril. Best book I’ve read this year.

[Matt Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Guardini wrote this in the 50s and basically completely sums up and provides solutions for the problem of liberalism. Modernity created many problems for the world but we can move past it if we take up our mantle and put God back in the center. Definitely pick this up and read it!

[Gord Clements · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think he offers an interesting and insightful reflection on the present state of human life and consciousness. Much of it deserves contemplation snd consideration if the human race is to survive. IF

[Katarzyna Balutowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. Well written as well. Offers a deep contemplative perspective on where we are as a society.

[Jelena Jankovic]

👍🏻

[Reading List · Rating 5 out of 5]

When he's good...he's good

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume contains two works of philosophy: The End of the Modern World and Power and Responsibility. These companion works are worthy of reading and meditation in the twenty-first century.

[Evangeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of an essay than a book. Could be compared with Heidegger's Age of the World Picture.

I probably ought to read it through again, but I got it via ILL and had to return it.

[Kris]

"Ústředním problémem, jenž bude v budoucnu stát v centru kulturní práce a na jehož vyřešení bude záležet vše - nejen blahobyt či nouze, nýbrž život či zkáza lidstva - je moc. Nepůjde již o její stupňování - to probíhá samočinně - nýbrž o její ovládnutí, o její správné užití."

Guardiniho studie sleduje, co nám přinesl novověk, jak proměnil chápaní člověka o člověku, vědu, víru a kulturu. Nad tím se zamýšleli i jiní filosofové, třeba Adorno, Gadamer... poprvé jsem ale četla novověku z křesťanského pohledu, což je pro mě vítané rozšíření chápání důsledků novověku a proměny místa člověka ve světě od 17. století až po současnost.

[Jonathan]

None

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes the transition from the Medieval period through the modern, now into the crisis of modernity. Lots of good insights.