Ortega’s "mass-man" isn’t defined by social class, but by a psychological state. This individual feels "just like everybody else" and is perfectly content with it.
Modernity offers an overwhelming number of possibilities but very little direction. Without a clear "mission" or sense of historical purpose, the modern individual suffers from a sense of drift, leading to the "hermeticism" of the soul—a closing off from the world. 4. The Loss of Historical Reason JosГ© Ortega y Gasset and the Dilemma of Modern Man
Modern man often tries to ignore his "circumstance"—his history and his roots—believing he can reinvent himself in a vacuum. Ortega argued that if we do not "save" our circumstance (understand and engage with our specific reality), we cannot save ourselves. 3. Life as Radical Reality Ortega’s "mass-man" isn’t defined by social class, but
The mass-man enjoys the fruits of civilization (technology, medicine, rights) without understanding the effort or the principles required to sustain them. He is the "spoiled child" of history, demanding everything while feeling no obligation to excellence. 2. "I am I and my Circumstance" Without a clear "mission" or sense of historical