L'universale in rete. II: dopo il convenzionalismo? Due schede e una conclusione provvisoria

Abstract

This essay introduces readers to a fundamental issue: the culture of contemporary western societies in its mainstream generally assumes a conventional, i.e. radically non foundational, approach to everything that is universal. The author questions the idea that this cultural selection should be considered as an unproblematic result of late modernity. He first puts modern universalism in perspective, in order to show that construction and de-construction of universal and/or universalistic practices, institutions and normative orientations in western societies amounts to a continuous and non-linear morphogenetic process following complex socio-cultural cycles. He then tries to identify examples of universalizing processes with regard to different social circles and sub-systems. Universalizing networks from this perspective can be divided in two general classes: those implying a purely rational-communicative approach, and those comprising a multidimensional, local and historical relationality. The author tries to provide a first and basic profile to the latter, and to discuss analogies and differences vis-a-vis the others.