Meaning: The quote "To regard all things and principles of things as inconstant modes or fashions has more and more become the tendency of modern thought" is attributed to Walter Pater, a 19th-century English essayist, literary and art critic. This quote encapsulates a key aspect of modern thought, reflecting a shift in perspective towards the transient and ever-changing nature of the world and its principles.

Pater was known for his influential writings on art, aesthetics, and culture, and his ideas had a significant impact on the development of modernist thought. In this quote, Pater touches upon the idea of impermanence and change as central to modern thought. The notion of regarding all things and principles as inconstant modes or fashions suggests a departure from the traditional view of a stable and unchanging reality. Instead, it reflects a recognition of the fluidity and variability inherent in the world and its underlying principles.

This perspective aligns with the broader philosophical and cultural shifts that characterized the modernist movement. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a growing disillusionment with the established order and a sense of upheaval brought about by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancements. These changes provoked a reevaluation of traditional beliefs and values, leading to a heightened awareness of the transitory nature of existence.

Pater's assertion that this tendency has "more and more become" characteristic of modern thought acknowledges the evolving nature of human understanding and perception. It reflects a departure from the fixed, absolute truths of earlier philosophical and religious frameworks, signaling a movement towards a more relativistic and dynamic worldview.

In the context of art and aesthetics, Pater's quote can be interpreted as a call to embrace the ever-changing nature of artistic expression and creativity. It suggests a rejection of rigid, dogmatic standards in favor of a more fluid and responsive approach to artistic interpretation and production. This aligns with Pater's own emphasis on the importance of subjective experience and individual perception in the appreciation of art.

Moreover, Pater's quote resonates with the broader cultural and intellectual currents of the modernist era, which saw a rejection of traditional forms and a celebration of innovation and experimentation in art, literature, and music. The embrace of inconstancy and change as a central tenet of modern thought reflects a fundamental reorientation towards the exploration of new ideas, forms, and modes of expression.

In conclusion, Walter Pater's quote encapsulates a fundamental aspect of modern thought, reflecting a shift towards embracing the inconstant and transient nature of the world and its principles. It speaks to a broader cultural and intellectual transformation characterized by a rejection of fixed, unchanging truths in favor of a more dynamic and fluid understanding of existence. Pater's ideas continue to resonate with contemporary discourse on the nature of reality, perception, and artistic expression, reaffirming the enduring relevance of his insights in the context of modern thought.