Future is the most wanted terrorist. Postmodernity and the end of disdain for philosophy of history

Abstract

This essay consists of three parts: the first, a brief genealogy of the connection between the birth of «Philosophy of History» and the notion of Progress. In the second, tit is explored some political consequences of the fact that the idea of progress was translated as pure acceleration of historical time. Finally, it is argued that the idea of «accelerated progress » has come to be linked to postmodern «death of Time». It is therefore necessary a critical approach to those political practices that, after Postmodernity, try to highlight again the worthy relationship between «historical experience» and «rational efficiency», since in several cases they do that exclusively by means of replacing the emancipatory ideals of the Enlightenment by mere principles of international security. Returning to put on the table the idea of Future, but only as a threat that must be controlled or eradicated.