Joel Alvarado
5/2/15
LEH 355


                                                            Ernst Jünger


Assignment Due 5/2: Choose a passage from Jünger, write it out, explain the meaning of it, and why you chose this passage.

 

"We  find ourselves in a situation where we are still capable of grasping what is lost; we can still sense the destruction of values and how the world is becoming more shallow and superficial. New generations are growing up far removed from all our inherited traditions, and it is an amazing feeling to see these children many of whom will live to experience the year 2000. By then, the last remnants of the modern, i.e., Copernican, age will most likely have disappeared (p. 45)."

In that particular section of his writings, Jünger was stating that it was not too late to regain what was lost. With that statement, he was implying that a lot of the traditions, cultures, morals, and values were being lost because of the politics and the technological advances.When he implies that the world was becoming more shallow and superficial he was referring to technology and how it had a tremendous impact on society because it was revolutionizing humanity, as they knew it. Jünger was also arguing that a lot of people were speculating that technology was bringing about plenty of positive things such as wealth and advancements in communication. From a militaristic standpoint, Jüngert knew it was not all positivity because many innovations were going to bring about nothing but destruction.

In the next part of the text, Jünger empathized with many of the societies speculations regarding technology, he mentioned that it was a great feeling to see the new generation reach the year 2000. I personally believe that he knew and understood that technology was benefiting many fields such as the medical world.

The reason why I chose this particular passage is because Jünger was a great writer and philosopher that was really good in communicating what he felt. In his writing he explained that humanity was heading in a positive direction but it had its perks. I found it highly fascinating to learn how in addition to his militaristic experience he was offered many positions in the Nazi regime but he refused to be a part of it. This portion of his writing highlighted the fact that even though he was a high military figure, he had a sense of empathy towards the future and he was concerned about the direction that society was moving towards.