Defining Post-Modernism Essay -- Definition post Modernism

Defining Post-Modernism In trying to define exactly what post-modernism is I shall firstly briefly subscribe some of the events and mentation that led up to the development of this particular civilize of social theory. I shall thence consider some of the common strands of thinking in postmodernism concentrating mainly on the writings of Jean-Francois Lyotard and Jean Baudrillard. I shall then consider the visual sense of David Harvey, a Marxist many consider to be writing in the postmodern tradition, who argues that post-modernism is just another form of capitalism. Having analysed his line of work I shall conclude by giving my own personal view of post-modernism and by showing that by its very nature it is virtually unthinkable to come up with one single all embrace definition.The landmark postmodernism was first used in relation to architecture. Modern architecture, namely the mellowed rise tower blocks of the sixties, were becoming more and more unpopular. Charles Jencks (1977) traces the death of modernist architecture to the demolition of the Pruitt-Igoe housing project in St. Louis, and other writers (Lemert (1990)) eat up seen this as a symbol of the end of modernity. Society was reacting against modern architectural ideas having disordered faith in the modern ideals. Although modern architecture might have been scientifically advanced using the latest and cheapest materials, people rejected it, preferring to indemnity to a variety of styles from the past. Examples of this sack up be seen in the rejuvenation of the Albert tail in Liverpool, and mock medieval squ bes.Similarly in Sociology postmodernism rejects the theories of the past, and represents a break from the modern focussing of thinking. For example, Marx envisaged society evolving through social change into the perfect communist society, where there are no issues of class or general inequality. Postmodernists would refer to his theory, and those of other sociologists, as a metana rrative and writers such as Lyotard (1984) have seen the rejection of such theories as underlying to postmodernismSimplifying to the extreme, I define postmodernism as incredulity to metanarrativesPeople have woolly-headed faith in the metanarratives of the past and Lyotard sees social life being nonionised around language games, which serve to justify peoples behaviour in society. In these games a person endeavours to persuade others t... ...is impossible to apply one all encompassing theory. A range of theories must be considered and all viewpoints listened to. Only by adopting such an approach and by welcoming different points of view can we further understand the world in which we live.ReferencesHarvey, D. (1990) The Condition Of Postmodernity OxfordBlackwellKellner, D. (1990) Postmodernism Jameson Critique cited in Ritzer, G. (1992) Sociological Theory (third edition) virgin York McGraw-Hill, Inc. Lyotard, J.F. (1984) The Postmodern Condition. Minneapolis University of Mi nnesota PressRitzer, G. (1992) Sociological Theory (third edition) peeled York McGraw-Hill, Inc. BibliographyAdams, D.J. Toward a Theological sense of Postmodernism http//aril.org/adams.htmTEXT20Cuff, E.C., Sharrock, W.W., and Francis, D.W. (1998) Perspectives in Sociology (fourth edition) London Routledge.Mizrach, S. Talking pomo An analysis of the postmodern movement http//glidare.isp.his.se/isp/andreas/pomo.htmRitzer, G. (1992) Sociological Theory (third edition) New York McGraw-Hill, Inc. Ritzer, G. (1996) Classical Social Theory (second edition) New York McGraw-Hill, Inc.