The phenomenon of alienation is closely related to the current morality crisis as it affects the
very core of man's being. It appears that this phenomenon is not only a contemporary
problem. It is as old as civilization itself, although its manifestation had taken on different
forms in different eras. In this study alienation is analysed in time perspective. The
following exponents pertaining to this phenomenon are examined closely: Plotinus, Hegel,
Feuerbach, Marx, Durkheim, Fromm and the contemporary society.
In the contemporary situation alienation manifests in various ways within the family and
society. The disintegration of the family is escalating. More children are abused in a childhostile
society. The generation gap is widening and suicide amongst teenagers is increasing.
Man becomes more lonely and experiences an identity crisis from which he tries to escape
by means of narcissism. Possible contributing factors to the above-mentioned are
secularisation, nihilism, urbanisation and the negative influence of science and technology.
The need of contemporary society cannot be realized without knowledge pertaining to the
nature and essential characteristics of alienation. An accountable mode of thought grounded
in time and space can be utilised towards bringing man to his senses. In attempting to
establish authentic thought and accompaniment the reflective mode of thought can be
implemented by the agogoque to take a stand against the degraded view o( man and world.
This could result in man regaining a sense of security and could possibly lead to establishing
an authentic world-view, mode of thought and accompaniment.
Die aktualiteit van die ontheemdingsverskynsel hang ten nouste met die moraliteitskrisis saam
waarin die eietydse beskawing horn bevind, want dit raak die mens in sy diepste wese. Die
ontheemdingsverskynsel is egter nie net 'n eietydse probleem nie, maar manifesteer verskillend
in verskillende tydperke en dateer sover as die ontstaan van die beskawing self terug. Hierdie
studie word vanuit 'n tydsperspektief belig. Die volgende eksponente met betrekking tot
hierdie verskynsel sal noukeurig ondersoek word: Plotinus, Hegel, Feuerbach, Marx,
Durkheim, Fromm en die eietydse bestel.
In die eietyd manifesteer ontheemding op verskeie maniere in die gesin en samelewing.
Gesinsverbrokkeling neem toe en kinders word al meer in 'n kind-vyandige samelewing
verwerp. Die generasiegaping word groter en tienerselfmoord kom toenemend voor. Die
vereensaamde mens beleef 'n identiteitskrisis en soek in narcisme ontvlugting. Moontlike
oorsaaklike faktore vir bogenoemde is sekularisasie, nihilisme, verstedeliking en die negatiewe
invloed van die wetenskap en tegnologie.
Die nood waarin die eietydse samelewing horn bevind, kan nie sonder kennis van die aard en
die wese wat kenmerkend van die ontheemdingsverskynsel is, besef word me. 'n
Verantwoordbare denkweg wat in die tydlikheid en ruimtelikheid begrond is, hied die
moontlikheid om die mens tot besinning te bring. Hierdie besinnende denkweg waarin die
agogieker teen die gedegradeerde mens- en wereldbeskouing standpunt inneem, kan as
korrektief dien en tot outentieke denke en begeleiding aanleiding gee. Dan sal die ontheemde
mens weer die nodige geborgenheid ervaar en sal dit moontlik wees om weer outentiek wereld
te konstitueer, te leef, te <link en te begelei.
