This blog post reflects on the humanity we are losing in modern society and explores paths to recover true humanity.
Human history is rich with great thinkers. They transcend their times and societies to explore the essence of humanity, illuminating real-world problems from new perspectives and offering wisdom to future generations. Among them are philosophers, politicians, and literary figures, whose ideas continue to exert a powerful influence today. Among these great thinkers, the German poet and thinker Goethe occupies a particularly special place. He was not merely a poet who created literary works; through philosophical depth and social insight, he pursued ‘true humanity’.
Goethe’s ideas remain an unquenchable flame for us living in the modern age. His ideas contain profound reflections on humanity’s future, and the reason these ideas remain important in modern society, transcending time, is that they provide insights capable of resolving issues related to human nature. Goethe explored the human psyche and, after deep contemplation on the essence of humanity, emphasized the importance of ‘true humanity’.
Goethe possessed a multifaceted intellectual world. Few possessed such a comprehensive blend of sharp judgment, rich imagination, and acute sensitivity as Goethe. Yet his appeal lies in the fact that these traits were not innate but rather acquired through his own diligent effort and inquiry. He was a man who strove throughout his life to become his complete self. Though he lived as a poet, natural scientist, thinker, and politician, above all else, he desired to be a truly human human being. This theme runs consistently through his entire body of work and thought.
His concept of ‘true humanity’ reflects this life goal. Here, a truly human person is one who does not settle in one place but strives constantly, while simultaneously remaining noble, kind, and compassionate in any circumstance. Moreover, at its core lies a seriousness that cultivates one’s true self through constant introspection of the inner world. Goethe regarded such well-rounded humanity as akin to nature. Just as nature develops in harmony and balance according to its own laws, he believed humans must also achieve inner harmony through ceaseless self-reflection.
Listening to Goethe’s voice emphasizing ‘true humanity,’ we question whether individuals can freely realize their humanity even amidst the barrenness of modern society. In many ways, modern humans are becoming unnatural. As they drift further from nature, the source of humanity, modern people cling more to external values like material possessions or ideologies rather than striving to create their true selves. Thus, we frequently witness violence and killing perpetrated by distorted humanity. Seeing people swept away by their desires, having forgotten the inherent nobility bestowed upon them, brings to mind the devil Mephistopheles smiling in the darkness.
Meanwhile, the demand for ‘true humanity’ can also cause conflict between individuals and groups. Goethe believed humanity’s goal lay in achieving universality through each individual’s uniqueness and dignity. That is, he granted the same rights to the individual, born from the source of nature, as to nature itself, but showed relatively little interest in the intermediate stage between the individual and the source. Thus, when Napoleon occupied Goethe’s homeland of Germany, he did not engage as fervently as Johann Gottlieb Fichte. Of course, he desired freedom for his people and expressed deep affection for his homeland, but what captivated his heart more was the concept of humanity itself. In this sense, Goethe valued the dignity of the individual more than collective consciousness.
In this context, we must reflect on how individual dignity is being undermined in modern society. The questions raised by Goethe’s thought are not merely issues of the past; they remain crucial concerns today. We risk losing our humanity amidst technological progress and material abundance. When individual dignity and freedom are sacrificed for collective goals or interests, humanity loses its essence. Therefore, we must examine the problems of modern society through Goethe’s ideas and contemplate how humanity can be restored.
Long after Goethe left this world, we rediscover his significance today. Though he never breathed the air of our times, he offers us counsel from a profoundly modern perspective. To end this terrifying drama unfolding now, all people must collectively pursue ‘true humanity.’ In an age where spiritual nobility is readily sacrificed for material convenience, and individual purity is easily discarded for collective goals, we must strive to live as human beings possessing our own souls. In this sense, Goethe’s cry for pure and noble humanity carries the weight of a world-historical pledge to heal the grave affliction of our time: the fading respect for the person themselves.
If all people act upon their inherent capacity for loving and kind hearts, practicing ‘true humanity’ in their actions, the dehumanizing phenomena of modern society can be overcome. In this process, we can once again reflect on the dignity and nobility of humanity presented by Goethe’s thought and, based on this, contribute to building a better society. Solving the various problems facing modern society requires both individual introspection and societal transformation as a whole, which is one reason why Goethe’s thought remains significant today.
