THE VARIABILITY OF THE FATE OF METANARRATIVES

Abstract

Metanarratives with their highest values act as a kind of foundation, a means of substantiating other narratives and, in general, a justification of a certain order of the world and society in the human imagination. Modern scientific and technical civilization found its justification in the metanarratives of Modern, which accumulate the highest values: humanism, truth, goodness, beauty and other universal civilizational ideals that contribute to the existence and development of mankind. Metanarratives are also embodied in political doctrines, where ideology is used to interpret metanarratives in a certain way in a favorable light for certain circles and strata. This is how very different strategic narratives emerge, which sometimes distort human values. Since the state has great levers of influence, from legislation to propaganda, especially in a totalitarian or authoritarian society, it can subjugate national and cultural values, even present its narrow group interests as national or even universal. Then the strategic narrative serves as a metanarrative. Enlightenment metanarratives were realized not only in universal, democratic ideals and state-building, but also in totalitarian, fascist, marxist, racist worldviews and practices with corresponding strategic narratives. If we add to this the global problems caused by the development of scientific and technological civilization, which is also a consequence of the project of modernity, the emergence of postmodernity with its total irony towards this project and in general towards science, reason, progress, seems natural. But gradually it becomes clear that humanity cannot do without metanarratives with humanistic values as a fundamental justification of human activity, especially overcoming civilizational challenges. Therefore, metamodernity is expected to emerge first as a feeling and then as a comprehension of the need for humanistic metanarratives. It is natural that the first steps are made in painting and literature as the most sensitive areas of the human spirit. This is a kind of return to the metanarratives of the Medern. Metanarratives of the Age of Reason and Enlightenment have stood the test of time. Despite significant distortions in the strategic narratives of various ideologies and attempts of general denial in postmodernism, they demonstrate viability as a way to justify universal ideals, preserve humanity and survival of mankind.