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Modernism is a worldview that arose during the Enlightenment. It encourages skeptical thinking and rejection of supernatural beliefs, as it considers science "the only way of knowing". Its morality and social theory is based on ideas such as rational self-interest and social contract. It also encourages technological progress and economic growth to foster human well-being or "the greatest happiness for the greatest number". Critics of modernism see it as a form of materialism and reductionism.

Modernism does not encourage one political ideology. Liberalism, socialism and neoconservatism are distinctly modernist, but in fact most political movements today have some modernist influences.

Modernism is typically contrasted with traditionalism and postmodernism.

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