“Learning as a Practice of Dying”
My Mom’s eightieth birthday is this weekend. It will be the first time our extended family has been together since Christmas 2019, due to significant rifts that developed over Covid and political and cultural tensions. My family “derailed.”[1] Our postmodern climate, under pressure, created the perfect storm for a family clash between experience, reason, and subjectivism; individualism and communalism; upholding science and being skeptical of science.[2] We have debated every topic included in the “Postmodern Cultural Themes” presented in Stephen Hicks’ book, Explaining Postmodernism.[3] Therefore, when I hear the word “postmodernism,” I think of conflict and I am prompted to wonder, how can we better prepare ourselves to manage the differing philosophies and worldviews present among us today?
Postmodernism: How Did We Get Here?
In his book, Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault, Stephen Hicks presents a historical account of how we arrived at the current cultural and philosophical movement known as postmodernism. He highlights the historical influence of key voices, notably Rousseau and Kant. Reviewer Curtis Hancock notes, “[Hicks’] treatment of the importance of Kant’s skepticism in getting the postmodernist engine going down the track is especially instructive.”[4] Relativism, the denial of absolute truth, individual experience as truth, and subjectivism have gained traction and created dominant strategies for thinking and living in our world today.
The thesis of Hicks’ book is: “The failure of epistemology made postmodernism possible, and the failure of socialism made postmodernism necessary.”[5] The task of postmodernism is “to figure out what to do ‘now that both the Age of Faith and the Enlightenment seem beyond recovery.’”[6] According to Hicks, Postmodern philosophy completely opposes the premises of the Enlightenment and capitalizes on gaps not fully explained and developed by the Enlightenment.[7] He believes that completing the articulation of Enlightenment premises is necessary to “reclaiming the forward progress of the Enlightenment vision and shielding it against postmodern strategies.”[8]
My Initial Reaction: How Can We Mitigate the Conflict that has Arisen?
Hicks presents a condensed and deep conversation about postmodernism. As I mentioned, when I think of postmodernism, my first instinct is not to dive deeply into the heart and history of the movement, but to wonder, “How can we better prepare ourselves to manage the differing philosophies and worldviews present among us today?” postmodernism being one strong strain. If we cannot find initial ground on which to discuss these issues that mean so much to us, we will only grow further apart and reconciliation and the creation of healthy communities will be pushed further into the future, to be accomplished by generations that can maturely hold space for each other and find strategies for moving forward positively.
Wisdom from Philippians: Look to the Interests of Others
In reading Philippians 2 today, I found wisdom on how to approach conversations about the differing philosophies and worldviews in our midst, especially as we enter into discussions with people who seem to have views opposite of ours. What would it look like to study this wisdom in light of my family’s experience?
I’ve noticed that self-preservation is a strong driver in the midst of my family’s philosophical conflicts. We argue to maintain that which is familiar and comfortable, fearful of losing ourselves and the perspectives and values we have created our lives upon. I think that’s why the rifts have become so deep. The fight is personal. Our identities are at risk. We must hold on to and fight for that which is “true” for us, because if what we have thought is true is not, where does that leave us?
In laying the wisdom of Philippians 2 over the conflicts in my family, I saw our situation in a new light. Verse 4 says, “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”[9] I wonder what would happen if we ensured that our conversations about difficult topics were laden with concern for each other’s interests, as opposed to focusing on our own preservation. We could still share opinions and disagree, but maybe it would change the tone of the conversation and take away the damage caused by fear.
Learning as a Practice of Dying
In a lecture in Oxford, Jason Clark challenged us to “engage in learning as a practice of dying.”[10] What if we were to approach conversations with those who differ from us as an opportunity to learn? And, what if, as part of that process, we were vulnerably willing to let go of possible misconceptions in order to become sharper, broader, and clearer in our thinking and being? If we are consumed with our love for God and focused on the interests of others, perhaps we will not be quite as fearful of losing ourselves. We will be transformed and grow, leaving some of our familiar and comfortable biases that were never of God, behind.
Love God, Love One Another
What seems to be most important to God, no matter how complex the conflict or magnitude of a situation, is that we operate with wholehearted love. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength…[and] love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”[11] No matter the cultural pressures in which we find ourselves at any point in history and the potential conflicts that arise, these are the overarching words that offer guidance as to how to conduct ourselves.
Conclusion
When I think of postmodernism, I think of the ways in which this cultural movement has affected my family members, those who embrace the concepts of postmodernism and those who do not. I am troubled by the conflicts under my own roof and I am motivated to better conduct myself: putting the interests of others first, remembering that conversations can be opportunities to learn and learning may mean letting go of parts of myself that are no longer relevant, and loving God and loving others as I love myself.
[1] Jo Nelson, Lecture in Oxford, Oxford City Council Chambers, September 23, 2023.
[2] Stephen R.C. Hicks, Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault (Redland Bay, QLD: Connor Court Publishing Pty Ltd, 2019), 14.
[3] Hicks, 18-19.
[4] Curtis L. Hancock, The Review of Metaphysics 59, no. 2 (2005): 427–28. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20130628, 427.
[5] Hicks, i.
[6] Richard Rorty in Hicks, 14.
[7] Hicks, 201.
[8] Hicks, 201.
[9] Philippians 2:4, NRSV.
[10] Jason Clark, Lecture at Christ Church, Oxford University, Oxford, September 20, 2023.
[11] Mark 12:30-31, NRSV.
About the Author
Jenny Steinbrenner Hale
17 responses to ““Learning as a Practice of Dying””
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Jenny,
I really enjoyed your post, I believe you brought up an excellent question.“How can we better prepare ourselves to manage the differing philosophies and worldviews present among us today?”
I have come to believe, the more secure we become in our ego, the more we give place to others, even love our enemies. Bless you, I really enjoyed this, Well done!
Thank you so much, Greg! I really appreciate this statement you made: “I have come to believe, the more secure we become in our ego, the more we give place to others, even love our enemies.” That is so interesting, isn’t it, that the more confident we are in being who God made us to be, the more we let others do the same. So appreciate your thoughts!
Jenny,
This is so good:
“Therefore, when I hear the word “postmodernism,” I think of conflict and I am prompted to wonder, how can we better prepare ourselves to manage the differing philosophies and worldviews present among us today?”
I appreciate your focus on loving others/keeping this focus in conversations. I pray that your family can come together in spite of differences. Will you be able to gather for Thanksgiving this year?
I have been challenged by: “Jason Clark challenged us to “engage in learning as a practice of dying.”
Death is death. I am not good at this. I tend to hold on to what I believe. I want my thoughts and beliefs to live. I have a way to go. I know that sanctification is a process and this takes place until physical death… I will submit to the Potters hands. I have appreciated your listening ear when I have needed to process thoughts/positions that require death as a mom. You have been kind to me.
Hi Kristy, Thank you so much for your thoughts and encouragement. I love this image you highlighted: “I will submit to the Potters hands.” I will try to do the same! So appreciate the mutual sharpening in our cohort.
Wow! So good! A practice of dying, inspired by Philippians 2:4. The book of Philippians is a major interlocutor for Woodward in the book “The Scandal of Leadership” which we will read later on. Therefore, it’ll come up again in discussion. In reading Caleb’s post, I thought about Friedman’s content on black-and-white thinking being the result of an anxious society in regression. The ability to hold space and stay differentiated is key to promote healing in these spaces, like families at odds due to philosophical differences that connect with our identities.
Great work Jenny!
Thank you so much, David! I so appreciate your thoughts and comments. That’s interesting that we’ll be reading Woodward’s book! Looking forward to that. Thanks for weaving Caleb’s post into your thoughts. I really like your addition: “In reading Caleb’s post, I thought about Friedman’s content on black-and-white thinking being the result of an anxious society in regression.” So much good material to think about, from within our cohort and also from our readings.
Hope you’ve had a good weekend!
Jenny, it seems that your family getting together is both cause of excitement and perhaps a bit of trepidation. I’m praying that it has been a good time of being together!
Thank you for bringing forth the call to death as a means of learning and as a path toward loving others. What I appreciate about you is that you are constantly reflecting on very real ways to practice the things you are learning, through your workplace, in this program, and in your family. Thank you for your courage in that practice and for your vulnerability in allowing us to see that.
Caleb, Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and encouragement. I am really appreciative. I also appreciate your prayers. We had a great birthday celebration for my mom this weekend and she remarked many times how good it was to have everyone together again. Feeling grateful.
Outstanding post, Jenny! The summary and story were captivating and on point. Thanks for opening up about the conflict postmodernism has brought to your family. I think you are very wise to recognize the best practice in this situation by loving others and recognizing their interests. I think that is the common ground you were seeking. It’s in love. This is great conscious leadership at its finest and a testament to the power of meekness and faith. You will be a great bridge to the conflict in your family and to the world, all pointing back to Christ.
Michael, Thank you so much for your thoughts and comments. I so appreciate your kind words and encouragement. Learning to truly love is such a process.
Hope you’ve had a good weekend!
Jenny,
Wow! You poured out your soul in this post! And bared your very heart. Many blessings on you and your family as you work through troubling situations in the days to come. I pray that this weekend has been a good one. Loving God and loving one another really is the key, I believe.
Tonette, Thank you so much for your encouragement and thoughtfulness. I so appreciate you! Your words, “Loving God and loving one another really is the key, I believe,” are so good to remember every day.
Hope you’ve had a good weekend!
Hi Jenny
Navigating tensions and ideologies is not easy – especially in families! I think you are right to point out that it gets entwined with identity. No one will budge because it becomes a personal defeat. It seems to be the same even in academic circles (I wonder if most of our ideas are not actually an emotional connection to something in our identity). I appreciate that you offered this question, “And, what if, as part of that process, we were vulnerably willing to let go of possible misconceptions in order to become sharper, broader, and clearer in our thinking and being? This has been the context of learning for me when I am willing to be vulnerable and consider that I might have been wrong. I’m hoping that your family will choose each other over political positions and ideology.
Hi Chad, Thanks so much for your comments and thoughts. This sentence really stood out for me. You said: “I wonder if most of our ideas are not actually an emotional connection to something in our identity.” That is something I really want to think about further! That could help explain why we sometimes contradict ourselves in our thinking, are not as logical as we think, and seem to be unable at times to hear perspectives that greatly differ from our own.
I also appreciate this thought that you shared: “I’m hoping that your family will choose each other over political positions and ideology.” I’m pretty excited about our weekend and the celebration of my mom’s eightieth birthday. Our family chose each other over political positions and ideologies and there is talk of planning a Thanksgiving get-together. I think we’re on our way to getting back on track.
Hope you had a good weekend. See you tomorrow.
I am somewhat afraid of what will happen if we don’t put a rush on loving one another. It seems the divide in thought get bigger and bigger every day. We are going to have to love past our difference and to a greater degree when we disagree. I pray that your family can find this love on Thanksgiving. What have learned through our reading that can help you be a leader in your family’s love?
Shonell, Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I agree, we so need to prioritize love. I like how you worded that: we need to “put a rush on loving one another.”
One thing I’ve learned in our reading is to be secure in who God has made me to be and to be that person boldly, in love.
What if we were to approach conversations with those who differ from us as an opportunity to learn?
What a great statement! I wish that we could all do this! What would our world look like if we could all just have a conversation?!