The post-universalist condition and the scope of the foundation

An essay on the limit of modernity

Abstract

Beginning with the reconstruction of the normative model of european cultural modernity idealized by Habermas as basis of his theory of modernity, we criticize his proposal to put its normative model of european cultural modernity as universalist epistemological-moral paradigm and as cosmopolitan integrative project, as normative basis of particular cultural contexts. With the development of the concept of post-universalist condition, we will defend that European cultural modernity has not conditions to sustain itself as paradigm to critic, intervention and integration that is valid to all contexts, because it is not possible to separate this idealized model of modernity relatively to colonization travestied as cultural rationalization and conducted in terms of cultural-economic globalization. Our argument consists that cultural rationalization as allowing universalism, basis of Habermas normative model of European cultural modernity, leads to the assimilation and delegitimation of all particular cultural contexts, considered by him as unable to generate universalism, legitimating directly the totalizing prosecution of modernity beyond itself, as judge, guide and superior societal project, exactly because its decentered culture and universalist structures of moral consciousness.