Post-modernity and Neo-tribalism: the resurgence of the Puer Aeternus

Abstract

Post-modernity is characterized by the disappearance of the idea of a central rationality in history and by a rejection of modern universalism, as opposed to the eclosion of ‘local’ rationalities—ethnic, sexual, religious, cultural or aesthetic minorities—which stemmed from opposition to the idea that there is only one form of humanity veritably worthy of realization. Therefore, the figure that represents post-modernity is not that of Apollo (universal order), but that of
Dionysius (a permanent ethic-aesthetic interplay given in the contingent), which can be affiliated with the image of the puer aeternus (the eternal child), contrary to the serious, rational adult who is both producer and reproducer (inherent to the XIX century) that, leaving moral and normative typifications aside and, by just labeling reality as ‘cool’ annihilates absolutist-universalist pretentions.eclosion of ‘local’ rationalities—ethnic, sexual, religious, cultural or aesthetic minorities—which stemmed from opposition to the idea that there is only one form of humanity veritably worthy of realization. Therefore, the figure that represents post-modernity is not that of Apollo (universal order), but that of Dionysius (a permanent ethic-aesthetic interplay given in the contingent), which can be affiliated with the image of the puer aeternus (the eternal child), contrary to the serious, rational adult who is both producer and reproducer (inherent to the XIX century) that, leaving moral and normative typifications aside and, by just labeling reality as ‘cool’ annihilates absolutist-universalist pretentions.