The fate of our times is characterized by rationalization and intellectualization and, above all, by the disenchantment of the world. Precisely the ultimate and most sublime values have retreated from public life either into the transcendental realm of mystic life or into the brotherliness of direct and personal human relations. It is not accidental that our greatest art is intimate and not monumental.

Summary

This quote by German sociologist Max Weber highlights how contemporary society is marked by a process of rationalization and intellectualization, leading to a sense of disenchantment. Weber argues that the profound and highest values that were once celebrated, have now withdrawn from public life, either turning into transcendental aspects of mystical experiences, or finding expression solely in personal human connections. Consequently, he suggests that our era's most remarkable artworks reflect this shift, as they are often intimate rather than grandiose or monumental.

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