Help with のに construction in a sentence


The sentence is

> 現代ほど自分の主体性、価値観を築き上げる **のに** 難しい時代はないのである。

If I understand correctly, the sentence can be simplified to

> 現代ほど難しい時代はない (There is no time period as difficult as now)

The entire sentence tells you that the difficult thing is building one's own
independence and values, but I don't understand how the のに is supposed to fit
grammatically in there. My best guess is that the middle part is somehow an
adverb modifying 難しい.




This のに means "to" or "in order to".

The の nominalizes the verb 築き上げる.

～～に means "to do ~~" or "for doing ~~".

You are right; The whole middle part modifies 難しい.

"There has never been a more difficult time than the present time for building
one's own identity and sense of values."




This のに means "to" or "in order to".

The の nominalizes the verb 築き上げる.

～～に means "to do ~~" or "for doing ~~".

You are right; The whole middle part modifies 難しい.

"There has never been a more difficult time than the present time for building
one's own identity and sense of values."

