The Deadly Diseases of Modern Times

# The Deadly Diseases of Modern Times We live in an era marked by formidable scientific and technological progress. We travel faster and further than ever before, and there is hardly a field where human rationality has not left its mark. Yet many report a deeper existential uncertainty—a sense of emptiness or meaninglessness amidst a society of material abundance. How did this become the epidemic of our time? ## Changing Worldviews It can be challenging to articulate one's own worldview. We’re often used to pigeonholing perspectives, but in practice, many people stand with one foot in the realm of rationality and the other in the landscape of mythology. As a psychologist, I myself have wavered between relying on the measurable, tangible truths of natural science and seeing value in the emotional life, stories, and relationships that define us—those parts of existence that cannot be quantified. Psychology loses much of its depth if we reduce humans to mere biology and chemistry. We are also hope, dreams, and stories. The Enlightenment of the 1700s marked a monumental shift in worldview. Faith in humanity’s abilities and the possibilities offered by science gained momentum. From here sprang the fight for human rights, the abolition of absolute monarchy, and a rational understanding of existence free from the dogma of the church. However, along with this optimism, old mythologies, collective wisdom, and traditions were cast into the attic of history. ## The Downside of Progress No one can deny that science and rationality have brought us immense benefits: better health, longer lives, and access to information and technologies that were once unimaginable. At the same time, the rational worldview has also birthed some of our era’s deadliest phenomena. Nuclear energy, developed with scientific precision, has the potential to annihilate all life. When powerful technology ends up in the hands of those lacking the maturity to handle such responsibility, acute danger arises. Motives can be religious, ideological, economic, or political. The key is always: power without sufficient wisdom or empathy poses a deadly threat. ## Competition, Individualism, and Materialism One consequence of modern ideals—freedom, individualism, and progress—is a society permeated by a competitive mentality. The ideal of freedom has driven significant economic gains, but it has also bred increased materialism and pressure to achieve. We see it in financial markets, the fashion industry, healthcare, and social media: measurable results, status, and external success are often valued above inner balance and relational belonging. This has forced many into a constant chase for the next thing—money, position, body, products—without necessarily providing a sense of meaning. The result is depletion of both nature and our inner lives. Environmental crises, psychological disorders, and a growing sense of isolation and meaninglessness are symptoms of the same root problem. ## Worldviews in a Secular Age Personally, I identify with what can be called secular humanism. It’s a philosophy that places human freedom and dignity at the center and seeks moral principles on rational and humanistic grounds—without reliance on religion or supernatural explanations. Yet this, too, has its limitations. Even though I stand outside religion, I have repeatedly witnessed the binding power religious stories have had for societies. They have fostered belonging, direction, and meaningful communities. This collective force has increasingly faded in societies where the individual is prioritized over the collective. It is therefore not surprising that we are now seeing a kind of “return” to ancient traditions of wisdom: mindfulness, stoicism, mythology, stories, and rituals. It’s about the search for meaning, belonging, and coherence in existence. ## Science as the Heir to Myth? In his book "Sapiens," Yuval Noah Harari writes that it is stories that have made us such a successful species. Our ability to unite around shared myths, religions, laws, and ideologies has given us strength. Rationality has largely torn down the old stories, but so far we have not managed to replace them with anything that provides an equivalent sense of meaning and direction in people’s lives. For many, science has become the modern myth—a sort of authority we put our faith in, even though it rarely answers the most fundamental existential questions. What is the meaning of life? Where do we truly find belonging when almost everything can be measured, weighed, or explained away? ## Existential Emptiness in a Society of Abundance We live in a society where we have access to everything we need and more. Paradoxically, we are witnessing a dramatic increase in psychological disorders, addiction, and suicide. Psychology tells us that the fruits of prosperity do not automatically bring happiness. A meaningful life is not primarily about acquiring as many external goods as possible, but about experiencing coherence, belonging, and direction. Viktor Frankl, known for his book "Man’s Search for Meaning," emphasized how, even under extreme conditions, humans can find meaning in life through community, values, and goals outside themselves. Social scientists like Durkheim, Fromm, and Seligman have each, in their own way, described humanity’s fundamental need for connection, community, and existential grounding. Today, many of us have lost the grand narratives and are left with individual goals that do not always provide the depth and coherence we need. ## The Balance Between Freedom and Community How can we build lives and societies that are not only technological wonders but also provide meaning and security to the individual? It’s about finding the balance between the strength of rationality and the wisdom of tradition. We should not return to superstition or deny the benefits of science, but perhaps we ought to rediscover the power of community and the stories that unite us. Finding meaning in a rational, secular age is very much about relating to something greater than oneself. This could be a community, a value-based project, family, nature, or an existential goal. Social psychology research indicates that people who experience a deeper connection in life and who invest in something larger than themselves often have lower rates of psychological distress and a stronger sense of satisfaction. Belief in, or participation in, such holistic projects gives us a "why" to persevere through all the "hows" of daily life, to borrow from Nietzsche. ## The Necessity of the Human Story It’s no accident that ancient myths and wisdom traditions are once again reemerging even in the most rational strata of Scandinavian society. Stories give us orientation—not only about how things fit together, but also why they matter. Without these foundational stories, we are vulnerable to feelings of emptiness, isolation, and even destructive behavior. That’s why it’s important that we as a society—and as individuals—seek both reflection and action: that we ask questions, explore our own values, build communities, and develop stories that provide insight and direction. The combination of critical rationality and openness to meaning-bearing traditions may be what holds back the deadly diseases of modern times: meaninglessness, loneliness, and a society built on material illusions. ## The Road Ahead—Daring to Wonder Perhaps the most important vaccine against the greatest ills of modernity is to dare to doubt, to marvel, and to ask: What truly gives life value for me—and for all of us? Maybe the goal isn’t to construct one grand narrative for everyone, but rather to invite a diversity of narratives where community, dignity, and balance are given space. Maybe it’s about acknowledging that, in the midst of an age of rationality, we need both meaning and mysteries. Together, we can build a society that not only solves problems technically, but also nourishes the deeper human need for coherence and direction. --- **Do you want to dive deeper into this topic?** This is a topic psychologist Sondre Risholm Liverød discusses further in the podcast episode of the same name. You’ll find the episode as part of the exercise material at [BeBalanced.ai](https://bebalanced.ai).