Two Concepts of Modernity and Two Theories of Sociology ——A Global Journey of Modernity and Sociology

The objectives and tendency of modernity exert fundamental influence on the research approaches and theoretical frameworks of sociology. The unbalance of the two basic objectives of modernity—the emancipation of mankind and the freedom of man, as well as the unbalance of social projects, have led to an overwhelming concern for man-planned social projects over the pursuit of self-emancipation. Therefore, the implementation of social projects overrides the need for liberty and all-round development of the man. As a result, “artificiality is regarded as more vital than “value, it has replaced the objectives of modernity and has dominated and swayed its historical development. Corresponding to the tendency of increasing artificiality in modernity, man has pinned the hope of an ideal future on the basis of conquering Nature. The reign of such old concepts would inevitably lead to crisis between man and nature, the individual and the society.