Where Power and Truth Intersect
The search for Truth has been at the center of war, politics, religion, science, technology, art and most of the conflict that our world has experienced over millennia. In this sense, it extends far beyond the philosophical realm into the very fabric of our lives. Stephen Hicks, Professor of Philosophy at Rockford University, sets out to provide a history of man’s search for Truth in his book Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault. In this work, Hicks traces the development of postmodernism and strives to show how the current postmodern worldview has been highjacked by the liberal left.[1]
I am by no means a philosopher, nor do I desire to become one, however the Western world’s development from premodernism to modernism to postmodernism has had a significant impact on all areas of our life. As such, a high-level understanding of these concepts is critical for anyone who seeks to have a leadership role, especially in today’s global world. Of particular interest to me is understanding the impact that these three philosophies have on power. In his book Leading with Nothing to Lose, Simon Walker “explains that power is simply the application of force in a human system.”[2]
Through Walker’s lens of power, I will attempt to explore the three philosophical eras mention above and evaluate the sources of power in each. Let’s begin with the definitions in Hick’s chart below.[4]
Forces of Power in Pre-Modernism
The pre-modern era “was the dominant philosophy approximately until 1650 [and] was based upon revealed knowledge from authoritative sources.[5] Per Hick’s chart, we see that in the pre-modern era, Truth was primarily discovered from God or through the feudal system, i.e. the monarchs or rulers of the day. In this era, front stage power was held by the church and the ruling class, yet backstage power was found in the collective mindset that there was a unified purpose in humanity—that the human being was part of the whole, which is greater than its parts.
Forces of Power in Modernism
With the advent of the enlightenment, came modernism and the forces of power in the world shifted from divine will to reason. Humanity separated itself from the world, so that it could examine and manipulate it. Forces of power became centered on science, innovation, technology and man’s ability to reason. No longer was there power or connectedness between man, God and his environment. The power lay in the systems and science that man had created. Those very systems and science would eventually give rise to some of the most devasting situations that mankind had ever experienced.
Points of Power in Post-Modernism
Finally, in the middle of the twentieth century, post-modernism entered the picture. Science was beginning to realize that some of its Truths were in fact based on major assumptions. The world had experienced the devasting impact of nuclear war (cost of science) and financial depression (cost of capitalism), so an alternate worldview began to take hold.
“Hicks claims that postmodernism is defined by four features. First, it is a metaphysically anti-realist position, which holds that it is “impossible to speak meaningfully about an independent reality.” Second, postmodernism is epistemologically skeptical of the possibility of acquiring objective knowledge about the world. Third, it is methodologically collectivist, regarding human nature as primarily defined by group affiliations. And, fourth, postmodernism is politically committed to protecting those groups which postmodernists regard as victims.” [6]
What does this mean for the forces of power? In postmodernity, we see them moving back to a collectivism now found in identity politics and away from reality or objective Truth. From my perspective, the subjective nature of power in a post-modern world offers some positives and negatives. The positives being a recognition that individuals see the world through their unique lens and that God exists in every human being—therefore they are worthy of respect, dignity, and personal power. The negatives being a dismissal of the good aspects that modernism provided.
Is it possible to reform capitalism in a way that is more equal for all? Is it possible to utilize technology and science for the collective good? Is it possible to recognize the divine in each individual without smearing “the other” because they simply don’t understand? If I’m looking to The Way of Jesus for those answers, it is a resounding, “yes!” As the world continues to evolve and a new consciousness takes hold, I choose to put my faith and source of power in the only hands that ultimately matter—those of Jesus.
[1] Stephen R. C. Hicks, Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault, Expanded edition (Ockham’s Razor, 2013).
[2] Simon P. Walker, Leading with Nothing to Lose (Piquant Publishing, 2010), 9.
[3] Laura Fleetwood, “Exploring the Forces of Leadership Power,” accessed October 29, 2023, https://blogs.georgefox.edu/dlgp/exploring-the-forces-of-leadership-power/.
[4] Hicks, Explaining Postmodernism, 25.
[5] “Paradigmatic Approaches: Premodernism – iNtgrty,” September 5, 2016, https://www.intgrty.co.za/2016/09/05/paradigmatic-approaches-premodernism/.
[6] “A Review of Explaining Postmodernism by Stephen Hicks,” Areo, October 17, 2018, https://areomagazine.com/2018/10/17/a-review-of-explaining-postmodernism-by-stephen-hicks/.
About the Author
Laura Fleetwood
Laura Fleetwood is a Christian creative, certified Enneagram Coach, doctoral student at Portland Seminary and Creative Director at her home church, Messiah St. Charles. As a published author, national faith speaker, podcaster and self-described anxiety warrior, Laura uses storytelling to teach you how to seek the S T I L L in the midst of your chaotic life. Find Laura at www.seekingthestill.com8 responses to “Where Power and Truth Intersect”
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Laura,
Great synthesis of Hick’s and Walker’s perspectives. You state, “In postmodernity, we see them moving back to a collectivism now found in identity politics and away from reality or objective Truth.” This made me wonder about cancel culture. Could cancel culture be an act of collectivism? It is interesting how this is power enacted by social groups with not clear definition of what is acceptable or unacceptable while still providing needed correction to bad behavior. It seems to be an example of the good and bad of postmodernism.
GREAT question, Chad! I wasn’t thinking about cancel culture, but that is a great example of post-modern power. From a Christian standpoint, I don’t believe in cancel culture. Everyone makes mistakes and forgiveness should always be an option. However, I can also understand why our culture has gravitated toward it as a source of power for those every-day-folk who don’t have the typical social media platform that provides them power. By banding together and “canceling” someone or an organization, the every day person can powerfully use their voice.
Laura,
I enjoyed your post! Great job weaving Walker’s work with Hicks!
I like these questions at the end:
“Is it possible to reform capitalism in a way that is more equal for all? Is it possible to utilize technology and science for the collective good? Is it possible to recognize the divine in each individual without smearing “the other” because they simply don’t understand?”
I look forward to our discussion tomorrow. Maybe some of these questions will be discussed.
Great work, Laura!!
Thanks, Kristy! I wish I could have attended the zoom today. Unfortuately, I’ve been under the weather, so I’ll have to catch up via the recording.
Great Post Laura,
I like the way you brought in Walker and the great questions you ask. And Yes indeed, I agree with your conclusion. “As the world continues to evolve and a new consciousness takes hold, I choose to put my faith and source of power in the only hands that ultimately matter—those of Jesus.”
Jean – One day Jesus will reign! What a glorious day that will be!
Dr. Fleetwood,
This is a strong post. I believe your intro really set up the rest of this blog and your points. Well done!
Thank you for your encouragement, Greg.