The Sublime Is NowEdit
The Sublime Is Now argues that the present moment is rich with a renewed sense of the sublime, not because chaos has vanished, but because scale, achievement, and purpose have come back into view through well-ordered institutions and disciplined effort. In this view, awe is not found by tearing down the past but by standing, with humility and resolve, before the enduring strengths that allow a society to endure, prosper, and compete. The sublime, then, is less a mood of contradiction or rebellion and more a recognition of human capability—the capacity to build, defend, and advance a civilization that rewards merit, honors obligation, and safeguards liberty.
Historically, the idea of the sublime emerged from a tension between fear and admiration in the face of vast powers—nature, beauty, or danger. Thinkers such as Edmund Burke described it as an experience that awakens the mind through a mix of terror and awe, while Immanuel Kant framed it as a challenge to our cognitive scale—objects that dwarf our ordinary concerns yet reveal the power of reason to comprehend them. In the contemporary landscape, these roots remain relevant, but the sublime is increasingly tied to the durable realities of modern life: robust institutions, a productive economy, and a shared sense of national purpose that can withstand storms and sustain progress. The Sublime Is Now treats these enduring elements as the modern carriers of the sublime, while recognizing that culture, politics, and policy are the stage upon which awe is either cultivated or replaced by cynicism.
Philosophical roots
The classical account of the sublime centers on experiences that overwhelm the senses or the imagination, eliciting both fear and admiration. In public life, that sense of scale can emerge from towering architectures, vast infrastructure, or the disciplined effort of a nation at peace and prepared for defense. The idea of a civilization capable of sustaining greatness, even in the face of danger, resonates with many who value order, responsibility, and continuity.
The modern articulation of the sublime emphasizes human faculties—the ability to comprehend, to organize, and to endure—within a framework of law, tradition, and reason. The Sublime Is Now argues that this fusion is essential to a society that seeks not sensation alone but durable meaning. In political life, that means institutions that constrain impulsive demand, reward merit, and extend opportunity through predictable, lawful processes. See the sublime as a continuing conversation between awe and duty, with the public sphere as the principal stage where the drama unfolds.
The Sublime in modern society
Scale, risk, and achievement: The sublime is felt in the magnitude of space programs, the grandeur of infrastructure networks, and the defense of a nation’s borders. When a country launches a satellite, completes a railway corridor, or fields a well-trained armed force, it demonstrates a capacity to master complexity and to extend the circle of prosperity. These achievements are not merely utilitarian; they evoke a sense of purpose larger than any one individual.
Institutions as the vessel of awe: Law, courts, property rights, and the civic calendar (national holidays, memorials, and rituals) provide a steady framework within which greatness can be imagined and realized. Without credible rules and predictable outcomes, the sublime becomes a commodity of fantasy rather than a lived possibility. See constitutionalism and civilization as the scaffolding that makes the sublime tangible in daily life.
Culture, monuments, and public space: Great buildings, museums, and monument culture anchor shared memory and convey an aspirational story about who a people are and what they value. Architectural styles—especially those drawing on classical and neoclassical idioms—often aim to evoke endurance, proportion, and restraint, qualities that many associate with a healthy, long-lasting order. The discussion of monuments and public space highlights how form and meaning reinforce social stability.
Markets, merit, and the horizon of progress: A dynamic economy expands the human horizon by unlocking opportunities, elevating standards of living, and enabling people to pursue ambitious projects. The sublime in economic life comes not from reckless gambles but from disciplined risk-taking, innovation within a framework of property rights, and the rule of law that protects those investments. See free market and entrepreneurship for the mechanisms by which modern economies realize grand potential.
Technology and risk governance: Scientific advancement and technological prowess can provoke awe—whether in medical breakthroughs, energy independence, or computational frontiers. The Sublime Is Now argues that this awe is healthiest when tempered by prudent governance, ethical consideration, and respect for human dignity. The balance between curiosity and caution is the contemporary form of the classical sublime.
Global leadership with local roots: In an interconnected world, the sublime is not purely metallic or digital; it is realized when a nation preserves a sense of place and responsibility, defends sovereignty, and contributes to a shared order grounded in consent, mutual interest, and credible commitments. See international relation and nationalism for debates about the proper scope of national action in a global arena.
Controversies and debates
The woke critique of the sublime: Critics from the left argue that the traditional accounts of awe and greatness are complicit with exclusionary history and privilege. The Sublime Is Now responds by acknowledging universal human capacities—imagination, courage, and the desire to build meaningful communities—while arguing that elevating universal standards does not require surrendering to grievance grinds. Supporters claim that the sublime remains portable across cultures and eras when anchored to shared institutions rather than empty symbolism.
Identity politics versus universal aims: Some debates focus on whether sublime experiences must reflect the experiences of all groups or can be rooted in a shared national or cultural project. The right-leaning perspective here tends to emphasize common goods—security, opportunity, and cultural continuity—while recognizing that societies flourish when individuals from diverse backgrounds can contribute to those ends within the same legal framework.
Globalism, sovereignty, and the scope of responsibility: There is tension between pursuing global leadership and maintaining aligned, intelligible governance at home. The Sublime Is Now contends that prestige abroad should be earned through competence, stability, and fair dealings, not through reckless expansion or virtue signaling. See sovereignty and globalization for the core points of contention.
The nature of progress: Critics argue that rapid change erodes shared meanings and civic cohesion. Proponents of the present-centric sublime counter that progress can be orderly, disciplined, and morally grounded, producing awe without tearing down the social fabric. The argument rests on the belief that institutions matter more than ephemeral trends.
The role of culture in shaping the sublime: Some say culture must be reimagined to reflect a broader array of voices and histories. The defense offered here is that preserving high standards of art, education, and public life—while opening doors to participation—creates a durable, aspirational sublime that can unite rather than divide.