We Moderns: Enigmas and Guesses

by Edwin Muir

"We Moderns: Enigmas and Guesses" by Edwin Muir is a philosophical treatise written in the early 20th century. The work explores profound questions about existence, morality, and the essence of modern life through a critical lens, particularly in the wake of societal changes brought on by war and industrialization. Muir reflects on the modern spirit, championing the need for a vibrant, unfiltered engagement with life that overcomes old fears and moral constraints. The opening of the work introduces the context of Muir's reflection amid the emotional upheaval of post-war society. It discusses the paradoxical nature of the "advanced" individuals who are confident in their solutions to societal issues but struggle with the more fundamental question of existence itself. Muir critiques the modern reliance on realism in arts as a simplification of deeper truths, lamenting the loss of romanticism and the idealized portrayal of life. Through this examination, he lays a foundation for a broader discourse on creativity, morality, and the necessity for a passionate embrace of life, which he believes has fallen victim to legalism and dogma in contemporary culture.