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Tuesday, 18 January 2011

Postmodernism is... continued

Thanks Stephen. I think your examples really help get a handle on those aspects of Postmodernism. (See Stephen's comment on my previous post).

The demystifying attribute is a bit trickier. The enlightenment project is one of modernity's key characteristics - shining the light of rational deduction from observation on those parts of life previously shrouded in mystery and 'explained' by non-scientific means. To this extent it is modernity that is demystifying.

Claiming that postmodernism is demystifying involves turning the enlightenment spotlight on the very tools and institutions of modernity - for instance the scientific community, the academy, anyone or thing who claims to be the primary school teacher in Stephen's example. These institutions are deconstructed, revealing a more complicated (contradictory?) set of aims/values/assumptions than simply the neutral application of the pure light of reason.

This process raises questions about the limits of modernity's ability to explain/enlighten. But it also raises important questions about how we interact with explanation and the institutions from which explanation emanates. That links to the fourth attribute, that PM helps us to consciously (re)consider the sources we use, and the assumptions we make, without discarding the obvious benefits of the enlightenment project.
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  1. Andy23 January 2011 at 17:03

    I think I'm starting to get my head around postmodernism but I've got a long way to go. So I'm looking forward to your forthcoming posts, Nathan, particularly as you seek to apply a postmodern approach to discussions of contemporary issues. I'm particularly interested to see how one can adopt a postmodern approach but still adhere to a biblical or Christian worldview. It seems that to be antifoundational must mean that one can't build on the foundation that the Bible is true?

    As I've discovered, my way of thinking is essentially modern and my posts on this blog will continue in that vein, as that's the approach to scientific enquiry that I've been taught and is clearly deeply ingrained!

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