Difference between revisions of "Postmodernism"
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| − | '''Postmodernism''' is an [[antichristian]],<ref> | + | [[File:Wexner Center.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|The Wexner Center for the Arts at Ohio State University was the first postmodern architecture building.<ref>[https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/justintaylor/2014/01/13/ravi-zacharias-on-postmodern-architecture-at-ohio-state/ Ravi Zacharias on Postmodern Architecture at Ohio State]</ref> The architect of the first postmodern building said that he designed it with no design in mind.<ref>[https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/justintaylor/2014/01/13/ravi-zacharias-on-postmodern-architecture-at-ohio-state/ Ravi Zacharias on Postmodern Architecture at Ohio State]</ref> See: [[Atheism and architecture]] ]] |
| + | '''Postmodernism''' is an [[antichristian]],<ref>[http://books.google.ca/books?id=TLHM6mM1KkYC John F. MacArthur, "Think Biblically!"]</ref> far-left, 20th century [[worldview]] and [[academic]] movement characterized by denial of objective truth, and which [[stolen concept|asserts]] that assertions of [[objectivity|objective]] knowledge are essentially impossible. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologist]] [[Norman Geisler]] wrote about postmodernism: "In short, the root of Post-modernism is [[atheism]] and the fruit of it is [[relativism]] — relativism in every area of life and thought."<ref>[http://normangeisler.com/a-response-to-philosophical-postmodernism-2/ A Response to Philosophical Postmodernism] by [[Norman Geisler|Norman L. Geisler]]</ref> Atheists played a significant role in terms of postmodernist leadership and its following (see: [[Atheism and critical thinking#Atheism, postmodernism and a lack of critical thinking|Postmodernism and atheists]]). Furthermore, Jeff Myers and David A. Noebel note in their book ''Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews'' that "The [[British Broadcasting Corporation]] actually lists postmodernism as a subset of atheism."<ref>Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews By Jeff Myers and David A. Noebel, page 192 (endnote section)</ref> See also: [[Atheism and postmodernism]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Arthur W. Lindsley, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, [[C.S. Lewis]] Institute, wrote: | ||
| + | {{cquote|Many postmodern contentions are self-refuting. An ancient example of this was the Greek philosopher Gorgius, who maintained that “All statements are false.” The problem is that if the statement that “All statements are false” is true, then it is false. Similarly, postmodernism maintains that it is (objectively) true to say that there are no objective truths. It uses reason to deny the validity of reason. If the statement, “all perspectives on reality are culturally determined” is true, then is this statement itself also culturally determined? If all metanarratives are suspect because they lead to oppression, then can it not be equally maintained that postmodernism is itself a metanarrative and equally suspect? If all knowledge claims are a grab for power, then are not postmodernism’s contentions equally motivated by a will-to-power?<ref>[ C.S. Lewis on Postmodernism?] by Arthur W. Lindsley, Ph.D. | ||
| + | Senior Fellow, C.S. Lewis Institute</ref>}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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 coexist today. | The term "postmodernism" comes from the causal relationship the movement has to [[modernism]], rather than a temporal relationship. Both movements coexist today. | ||
| Line 5: | Line 14: | ||
Some postmodernist ideas are: | Some postmodernist ideas are: | ||
| − | * Truth is a "[[social construct]]," rather than objectively provable. | + | * Truth is a "[[social construct]]," rather than objectively provable, and by extension is merely relative. |
| + | ** As an extension of this, [[History]] is considered "fiction" or "storytelling" | ||
| + | * Human agency is the only thing allowing for ideals like peace, power, and control to actually have power since they themselves lack any despite being passed down for ages due to just being ideals. | ||
* A society's choice of language reflects their general perceptions of the rules by which the world operates (see [[political correctness]]). | * A society's choice of language reflects their general perceptions of the rules by which the world operates (see [[political correctness]]). | ||
* There is no one superior culture; [[Western culture]] is no better than any other (see [[cultural relativism]]). This often takes the form of ridicule of anything deemed to be part of [[traditional values]] or mainstream [[American]] culture. | * There is no one superior culture; [[Western culture]] is no better than any other (see [[cultural relativism]]). This often takes the form of ridicule of anything deemed to be part of [[traditional values]] or mainstream [[American]] culture. | ||
| + | * Insanity is simply a cultural creation. | ||
| + | * Traditional authority has a strong tendency to be false and corrupt. | ||
| + | * Morality is personal with tradition playing little to no role in it, and as such, "right" and "wrong" is solely a matter of perspective (see [[moral relativism]]). | ||
* 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, [[sexuality]] and [[race]] are socially constructed, not [[inborn traits]]. | * [[Gender role]]s, [[sexuality]] and [[race]] are socially constructed, not [[inborn traits]]. | ||
| + | * The only way towards peace is by embracing [[Globalism|international unity]], as [[nationalism]] causes wars. | ||
Critics of postmodernism include those who believe in an objective truth that can be explored by human means, among others. | Critics of postmodernism include those who believe in an objective truth that can be explored by human means, among others. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==History== | ||
| + | Postmodernism is the work of three primary French writers: [[Jean-François Lyotard]], who coined the term "postmodern"; [[Jacques Derrida]]; and [[Michel Foucault]]. | ||
==Postmodernism, anti-Americanism, and reverse racism== | ==Postmodernism, anti-Americanism, and reverse racism== | ||
| Line 21: | Line 39: | ||
Postmodernists seek to denigrate [[Christianity]] and its accomplishments by claiming that it is only an aspect of western culture, and not inherently true. Likewise they denigrate the strong Christian [[scientific]] tradition, and attempt to marginalize Christian historical figures such as [[Isaac Newton]]. | Postmodernists seek to denigrate [[Christianity]] and its accomplishments by claiming that it is only an aspect of western culture, and not inherently true. Likewise they denigrate the strong Christian [[scientific]] tradition, and attempt to marginalize Christian historical figures such as [[Isaac Newton]]. | ||
| − | Postmodernists rely on the antichristian and [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] psychological theories of [[atheist]] [[Sigmund Freud]] to draw whatever meanings they want out of texts, in a method called "psychoanalytical criticism." | + | Postmodernists rely on the antichristian and [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] psychological theories of [[Atheism|atheist]] [[Sigmund Freud]] to draw whatever meanings they want out of texts, in a method called "psychoanalytical criticism." |
==Postmodernism and immorality== | ==Postmodernism and immorality== | ||
| Line 29: | Line 47: | ||
Alan Sokal famously exposed postmodernism as deeply flawed in 1996 by successfully publishing nonsense in a postmodern journal.<ref>http://www.physics.nyu.edu/faculty/sokal/index.html</ref> Since then, postmodernism has largely been considered a laughingstock among all but the most liberal academics. | Alan Sokal famously exposed postmodernism as deeply flawed in 1996 by successfully publishing nonsense in a postmodern journal.<ref>http://www.physics.nyu.edu/faculty/sokal/index.html</ref> Since then, postmodernism has largely been considered a laughingstock among all but the most liberal academics. | ||
| − | ==See | + | ==See also== |
* [[Deconstruction]] | * [[Deconstruction]] | ||
| − | * [[ | + | * [[Atheism and critical thinking]] |
| + | * [[Atheism and postmodernism]] | ||
* [[Nihilism]] | * [[Nihilism]] | ||
| − | *[[ | + | * [[Dada]] - an early pre-cursor to postmodernist expression |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| + | {{reflist|1}} | ||
| − | + | == External links == | |
| + | *[https://areomagazine.com/2017/03/27/how-french-intellectuals-ruined-the-west-postmodernism-and-its-impact-explained/ How French “Intellectuals” Ruined the West: Postmodernism and Its Impact, Explained] | ||
| + | *[http://thirdmill.org/files/reformedperspectives/hall_of_frame/HOF.Hale.Derrida%20and%20VanTil.6.30.04.html Derrida, Van Til and the Metaphysics of Postmodernism] An appraisal of Postmodernism, specifically Deconstruction, in light of Van Til by Jacob Gabriel Hale. | ||
[[Category:Artistic Movements]] | [[Category:Artistic Movements]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Culture]] |
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Philosophical Systems]] |
[[Category:Worldviews]] | [[Category:Worldviews]] | ||
Revision as of 03:26, October 13, 2018
The Wexner Center for the Arts at Ohio State University was the first postmodern architecture building.[1] The architect of the first postmodern building said that he designed it with no design in mind.[2] See: Atheism and architecture
Postmodernism is an antichristian,[3] far-left, 20th century worldview and academic movement characterized by denial of objective truth, and which asserts that assertions of objective knowledge are essentially impossible.
The Christian apologist Norman Geisler wrote about postmodernism: "In short, the root of Post-modernism is atheism and the fruit of it is relativism — relativism in every area of life and thought."[4] Atheists played a significant role in terms of postmodernist leadership and its following (see: Postmodernism and atheists). Furthermore, Jeff Myers and David A. Noebel note in their book Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews that "The British Broadcasting Corporation actually lists postmodernism as a subset of atheism."[5] See also: Atheism and postmodernism
Arthur W. Lindsley, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, C.S. Lewis Institute, wrote:
| “ | Many postmodern contentions are self-refuting. An ancient example of this was the Greek philosopher Gorgius, who maintained that “All statements are false.” The problem is that if the statement that “All statements are false” is true, then it is false. Similarly, postmodernism maintains that it is (objectively) true to say that there are no objective truths. It uses reason to deny the validity of reason. If the statement, “all perspectives on reality are culturally determined” is true, then is this statement itself also culturally determined? If all metanarratives are suspect because they lead to oppression, then can it not be equally maintained that postmodernism is itself a metanarrative and equally suspect? If all knowledge claims are a grab for power, then are not postmodernism’s contentions equally motivated by a will-to-power?[6] | ” |
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 coexist today.
Some postmodernist ideas are:
- Truth is a "social construct," rather than objectively provable, and by extension is merely relative.
- As an extension of this, History is considered "fiction" or "storytelling"
- Human agency is the only thing allowing for ideals like peace, power, and control to actually have power since they themselves lack any despite being passed down for ages due to just being ideals.
- A society's choice of language reflects their general perceptions of the rules by which the world operates (see political correctness).
- There is no one superior culture; Western culture is no better than any other (see cultural relativism). This often takes the form of ridicule of anything deemed to be part of traditional values or mainstream American culture.
- Insanity is simply a cultural creation.
- Traditional authority has a strong tendency to be false and corrupt.
- Morality is personal with tradition playing little to no role in it, and as such, "right" and "wrong" is solely a matter of perspective (see moral relativism).
- 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, sexuality and race are socially constructed, not inborn traits.
- The only way towards peace is by embracing international unity, as nationalism causes wars.
Critics of postmodernism include those who believe in an objective truth that can be explored by human means, among others.
Contents
History
Postmodernism is the work of three primary French writers: Jean-François Lyotard, who coined the term "postmodern"; Jacques Derrida; and Michel Foucault.
Postmodernism, anti-Americanism, and reverse racism
Postmodernism is routinely used by academics to attack American interventionist foreign policy, claiming that democratic society is only an aspect of western society, which should not be "forced" upon other peoples, whose cultures may be despotic or theocratic. In this regard, postmodernism is simply a euphemism for moral relativism (itself a euphemism for sin denial).
It is likewise used to attack and condemn the work and culture of white males, by claiming that any such cultural output, be it art, music, literature, etc., is patriarchal and imperialistic.
Antichristian
Postmodernists seek to denigrate Christianity and its accomplishments by claiming that it is only an aspect of western culture, and not inherently true. Likewise they denigrate the strong Christian scientific tradition, and attempt to marginalize Christian historical figures such as Isaac Newton.
Postmodernists rely on the antichristian and pseudoscientific psychological theories of atheist Sigmund Freud to draw whatever meanings they want out of texts, in a method called "psychoanalytical criticism."
Postmodernism and immorality
As postmodernism teaches that there is no truth, it likewise teaches that there is no absolute morality. Within this worldview, any action is moral or justifiable, and postmodernism's spread among academia may go some way to explaining professor values.
Discredited
Alan Sokal famously exposed postmodernism as deeply flawed in 1996 by successfully publishing nonsense in a postmodern journal.[7] Since then, postmodernism has largely been considered a laughingstock among all but the most liberal academics.
See also
- Deconstruction
- Atheism and critical thinking
- Atheism and postmodernism
- Nihilism
- Dada - an early pre-cursor to postmodernist expression
References
- ↑ Ravi Zacharias on Postmodern Architecture at Ohio State
- ↑ Ravi Zacharias on Postmodern Architecture at Ohio State
- ↑ John F. MacArthur, "Think Biblically!"
- ↑ A Response to Philosophical Postmodernism by Norman L. Geisler
- ↑ Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews By Jeff Myers and David A. Noebel, page 192 (endnote section)
- ↑ [ C.S. Lewis on Postmodernism?] by Arthur W. Lindsley, Ph.D. Senior Fellow, C.S. Lewis Institute
- ↑ http://www.physics.nyu.edu/faculty/sokal/index.html
External links
- How French “Intellectuals” Ruined the West: Postmodernism and Its Impact, Explained
- Derrida, Van Til and the Metaphysics of Postmodernism An appraisal of Postmodernism, specifically Deconstruction, in light of Van Til by Jacob Gabriel Hale.
