Resonance: A Sociology of Our Relationship to the World

In his book "Resonance," Hartmut Rosa argues that the quality of a human life cannot be measured in terms of resources, options, and moments of happiness, but rather in terms of our relationship to the world. He applies his theory of resonance to many domains of human activity, such as breathing, adoption of culturally distinct worldviews, family and politics, work and sports, religion and art, and shows how our problematic relation to the world is at the crux of some of the most pressing issues we face today.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 450 pages
\n Publication date: 28 June 2019
\n Publisher: Polity Press
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The rapid pace of modern life has undoubtedly accelerated, yet it seems to have failed to bring about greater happiness or contentment among individuals. If acceleration is the root of the problem, as argued by Hartmut Rosa in his significant new work, the solution lies in the concept of "resonance." Measuring the quality of a human life solely based on resources, options, and moments of happiness is insufficient. Instead, we must consider our relationship to, or resonance with, the world.

Rosa applies his theory of resonance to various aspects of human activity, encompassing the spectrum of ways in which we establish our connection to the world. From the fundamental act of breathing to the adoption of distinct cultural worldviews, he explores the diverse ways in which we engage with the environment. Subsequently, he delves into the realms of concrete experience and action, such as family, politics, work, sports, religion, and art, where individuals seek out resonance. However, this pursuit has become increasingly challenging as modernity's logic of escalation perpetuates a distorted relationship to the world at both individual and collective levels.

As Rosa demonstrates, all the great crises of modern society, including the environmental crisis, the crisis of democracy, and the psychological crisis, can be understood and analyzed through the lens of resonance and our fractured relationship with the world around us. By renewing critical theory for our times, Rosa's new book makes a substantial contribution to the understanding of modernity. It highlights the centrality of our problematic relationship to the world in addressing some of the most pressing issues we face today. This book will be of immense interest to students and scholars across the social sciences and humanities.

\n Weight: 992g\n
Dimension: 165 x 237 x 46 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781509519897\n \n