Nach 9/11 - Wie das Hadern mit der Welt die Oberhand gewann
Summary
Ralf Konersmann explores the shift from religious consolation to secular resilience in his essay "Trost und Untröstlichkeit." He traces how historical traumas, from the Lisbon earthquake to 9/11, eroded the belief in a benevolent world order. By analyzing Voltaire, Montaigne, and Simmel, he argues that modern society replaced theological comfort with pragmatic self-reliance. The piece concludes that while the world remains untröstlich, individuals find solace through personal agency and simple expressions like Louis Armstrong’s "What a Wonderful World."
Topics discussed
Introduction: Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World'
The 2001 radio ban and the shift in public mood
The world as a sign: Biblical narratives of loss
Gnosticism and the rise of doubt in comfort
Voltaire's critique of optimism after the Lisbon earthquake
Voltaire's solution: 'Cultivate your garden'
Philosophical vs. religious concepts of comfort
Montaigne and the modern view of untröstlichkeit
Conclusion: The enduring power of simple songs
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