Insensitive culture : on the chronic need for sensitivity in the contemporary world

It is extremely rare that humanistic discourse reflects on the category of sensitivity, a topic in a way perceived as a taboo and thus excluded. If discussed at all, it is usually juxtaposed with a rational, matter-of-fact and emotionless view of reality. In other words, it tends to be oversimplifi ed, consequently turning into a misleading dichotomy where something is either rational or affective, with a clear line of demarcation between the two. The age of enlightenment has brought a distinct devaluation of emotions, feelings, “animal instincts”, and fi nally, of magical thinking in favour of reason. The author of the article forms a thesis that sensitivity, while devaluated and depreciated, constitutes one of the most important keys to understanding the condition of postmodern human. She argues that life in a world drained out of emotions is indeed dysfunctional, both for individuals and consequently, for entire societies.