The twentieth century’s catastrophes shook faith in historical progress.

Evidence

This idea of progress as possible, probable or necessary was rooted in the certainty that the development of the arts, technology, knowledge and liberty would be profitable to mankind as a whole. … After two centuries, we are more sensitive to signs that signify the contrary. Neither economic nor political liberalism, nor the various Marxisms, emerge from the sanguinary last two centuries free from the suspicion of crimes against mankind … What kind of thought is able to sublate (Aufheben) Auschwitz in a general (either empirical or speculative) process towards a universal emancipation? — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism, 58

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: World War I destroyed faith in progress, evolution, and continuity with history. — David Harvey, The Condition of Postmodernity: An…, 1766; Some postwar thinkers hoped catastrophe would transform human life for good — Sarah Bakewell, At the Existentialist Café: Freedom,…, 764; The 20th century was the bloodiest in human history. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 146 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• World War I destroyed faith in progress, evolution, and continuity with history. #expands (0.92) — David Harvey, The Condition of Postmodernity, 1766
• The 20th century was the bloodiest in human history. #corroborates (0.78) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 146
• Some postwar thinkers hoped catastrophe would transform human life for good #complicates (0.75) — Sarah Bakewell, At the Existentialist Café, 764
• The concept of the future itself has mutated across the twentieth century #expands (0.72)
• The destructive forces of the century produced the world’s unity and modern human strength #complicates (0.72) — Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, 12
• Post-war existentialism thrived on the excitement of a shattered world #complicates (0.72) — Sarah Bakewell, At the Existentialist Café, 529