Acceleration, alienation, and resonance. Reconstructing Hartmut Rosa’s theory of modernity

Abstract

The article presents in an interpretative and critical way the main theses structuring the work of Hartmut Rosa, namely: his theory of modern acceleration; his observations on the types of alienation that arise with it; and the forms of overcoming a state of alienation both within social life and in terms of the relationship nature-humanity, under the concept of resonance. Issues such as modern temporal structures (acceleration), the lack of synchronies between politics and economy, and the obstacles to emancipation (i.e., alienation), as well as the possible ways of confronting modern pathologies (resonance) are key points in Rosa’s diagnosis and critique. All of them are grounded on common questions about the origin of modernity, its main features and its later state of development. Two moments in Rosa’s trajectory are identified: one closer to a theory of society – in the case of acceleration –, and one approaching a normative philosophy – when dealing with alienation and resonance.