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Modernism & Postmodernism
Central aspects of modernity are:
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reason is the basis for knowledge and decision-making |
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objectivity is possible because subject and object are separate |
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the world operates through the interplay of cause and effect |
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progress, development and modernisation are achievable goals:
all problems are solvable |
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only scientifically established facts can be trusted; values
are matters of opinion only. |
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people are regarded as free and autonomous individuals |
Postmodernity
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Postmodernity represents a challenge to these
beliefs: |
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the reliance on reason alone is inadequate.
Science does not have all the answers, nor is it equipped to
deal with certain questions. The exclusion of other areas of
human experience in making discoveries and decisions is unhelpful.
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keeping subject and object apart
is impossible - there is interaction between them. Pure objectivity
is a myth; presuppositions are involved. The result is a mechanistic
approach to the world and exploitation of the environment. |
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explaining everything as cause and
effect is reductionist, excluding questions of meaning and purpose
which are important. We cannot live in a world with no meaning. |
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the optimism that all problems are
solvable has been destroyed; the evolution of the human race
towards maturity received a major setback in two world wars;
development for part of the world has been attained through
exploiting the rest of it; advances in technology have solved
some problems but created others, and the destruction of the
world through nuclear weapons or ecological disaster is a possible
fruit of "progress". |
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the division between facts and values
is untenable. All facts are interpreted facts: there are no
"value-free" facts. Belief systems give a framework
within which facts make sense. |
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the emphasis on freedom and individualism
has worked against community and social justice. Persons know
themselves as persons in relationship. |
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The main features of postmodernity (apart from
above critique of modernism) include: |
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a commitment to relativism in relation
to questions of truth. There are no absolutes. Truth is in the
mind of the believer as much as beauty is in the eye of the
beholder. |
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meaning is subjective rather than
objective. When looking at a text, the original intention of
the author is irrelevant: a text means whatever the reader understands
by it. |
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spiritual values are significant
and belief systems must be taken seriously, though without allowing
claims to exclusivity. Imagination is necessary as well as rationality.
Society is secular only in the sense that no one value system
is officially allowed to dominate. |
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the world is seen through a biological
rather than mechanistic model: concern for the environment and
understanding of humanity as part of the environment. |
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Institutions and hierarchies are
distrusted in favour of networks and grass-roots groups. Styles
of organisation and leadership are changing. Male dominance
is challenged. |
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iconoclasm - a refusal to give respect
to established traditions or to take anything, including itself,
too seriously. An emphasis on the chaotic and fragmentary rather
than order and harmony. Readiness to hold together contradictory
beliefs. Deep scepticism. |
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pluralism - a commitment to choice
at every level; a recognition that modern culture is diverse,
global and a constantly shifting set of sub-cultures. |
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diversity - "pick-and-mix"
society, collage, pastiche, rough edges, discord, merging the
cultural and the commercial, the medium as the message, style
rather than content, throw-away culture. |
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