Defining Post-Modernism Essay -- Definition post Modernism

Defining Post-Modernism In trying to define exactly what post-modern fontism is I shall first off briefly consider some of the events and thinking that led up to the development of this particular school of social theory. I shall then consider some of the special K strands of thinking in postmodernism concentrating mainly on the writings of Jean-Francois Lyotard and Jean Baudrillard. I shall then consider the view 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 argument I shall conclude by giving my own personal view of post-modernism and by showing that by its very nature it is virtually impossible to come up with one single all encompassing definition.The term postmodernism was first apply in relation to architecture. Modern architecture, namely the high 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 scheme in St. Louis, and other writers (Lemert (1990)) have seen this as a symbol of the end of modernity. Society was reacting against modern architectural ideas having lost faith in the modern ideals. Although modern architecture might have been scientifically advanced using the latest and cheapest materials, people rejected it, preferring to return to a variety of styles from the past. Examples of this can be seen in the rejuvenation of the Albert Dock in Liverpool, and mock medieval squares.Similarly in Sociology postmodernism rejects the theories of the past, and represents a break from the modern way of thinking. For example, Marx envisaged society evolving through social change into the perfect communist society, where on that point are no issues of class or general inequality. Postmodernists would refer to his theory, and those of other sociologists, as a metanarrative and writers such as Lyotard (1984) have seen the rejection of such theories as commutation to postmodernismSimplifying to the extreme, I define postmodernism as incredulity to metanarrativesPeople have lost faith in the metanarratives of the past and Lyotard sees social life being organised slightly 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 begin 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 adult male 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) New York McGraw-Hill, Inc. Lyotard, J.F. (1984) The Postmodern Condition. Minneapolis University of Minnesota PressRitzer, G. (1992) Sociologic al Theory (third edition) New York McGraw-Hill, Inc. BibliographyAdams, D.J. Toward a Theological Understanding 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 summary 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.