Difference between revisions of "Postmodernism"
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(It's like a blind monkey wrote this article. Started reworking it.) |
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| − | '''Postmodernism''' is a [[worldview]] characterized by a belief in the lack of an objective truth, and which asserts that assertions of knowledge | + | '''Postmodernism''' is a [[worldview]] characterized by a belief in the lack of an objective truth, and which asserts that assertions of objective knowledge are essentially impossible. A strong part of postmodernist thought is an intentional departure from traditional approaches that had previously been dominant. Postmodernity has influenced many disparate fields of study, such as architecture, history, literary criticism, art, and others. |
The term "postmodernism" comes from the causal relationship the movement has to [[modernism]], rather than a temporal relationship. Both movements still coexist today. | The term "postmodernism" comes from the causal relationship the movement has to [[modernism]], rather than a temporal relationship. Both movements still coexist today. | ||
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* One's choice of language directs how this reality is supposedly constructed (see [[political correctness]]) | * One's choice of language directs how this reality is supposedly constructed (see [[political correctness]]) | ||
* There is no one superior culture; [[Western culture]] is no more advanced than any other (see [[cultural relativism]]) | * There is no one superior culture; [[Western culture]] is no more advanced than any other (see [[cultural relativism]]) | ||
| − | * Because society is a "social construct" | + | * Because society is a "social construct" constructed through language, societal "systems" of "[[oppression]]" can therefore be "deconstructed" by [[deconstructing]] the language used, and replacing it with different terminology |
* The frequent use of irony and humorous [[wordplay]] to shift the meanings of words is encouraged as this causes people to rethink their assumptions about culture and language. | * The frequent use of irony and humorous [[wordplay]] to shift the meanings of words is encouraged as this causes people to rethink their assumptions about culture and language. | ||
* [[Gender role]]s are socially constructed, not [[inborn traits]] | * [[Gender role]]s are socially constructed, not [[inborn traits]] | ||
Revision as of 02:00, April 27, 2008
Postmodernism is a worldview characterized by a belief in the lack of an objective truth, and which asserts that assertions of objective knowledge are essentially impossible. A strong part of postmodernist thought is an intentional departure from traditional approaches that had previously been dominant. Postmodernity has influenced many disparate fields of study, such as architecture, history, literary criticism, art, and others.
The term "postmodernism" comes from the causal relationship the movement has to modernism, rather than a temporal relationship. Both movements still coexist today.
Some postmodernist ideas are:
- Truth is a "social construct" rather than empirically provable
- One's choice of language directs how this reality is supposedly constructed (see political correctness)
- There is no one superior culture; Western culture is no more advanced than any other (see cultural relativism)
- Because society is a "social construct" constructed through language, societal "systems" of "oppression" can therefore be "deconstructed" by deconstructing the language used, and replacing it with different terminology
- The frequent use of irony and humorous wordplay to shift the meanings of words is encouraged as this causes people to rethink their assumptions about culture and language.
- Gender roles are socially constructed, not inborn traits
- In philosophical terms, there are many narratives, but any push by anyone of a metanarrative is viewed as oppressive.