Stages of Postmodernism
Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault by Stephen Hicks, to be honest, was a difficult book for me to read this week. It was long, and the print was tiny, and the topic was not one of my favorites to read about, to be perfectly frank. [1] To help me along the way, I watched a few videos of Stephen Hicks explaining and narrating his book [2] and his ideas. [3] The most interesting thing I learned about was postmodernism in recent history and in our world today. It is this topic which I would like to write about. In the following paragraphs, I will deal briefly with the three generations of postmodernism: first, second, and third. [4] First of all, it is only with the author Stephen Hicks that I find Postmodernism broken down into these categories. When I try to research this further, I cannot find these categories by any other authors. Still, it is a clarification of the growth of Postmodernism over the years, and so I find it very interesting.
First Generation Postmodernism
Most people agree that postmodernism arose after World War II. [5] It began to compete with modernism in the 1950s, and grew throughout the 1960s. [6] People in the universities came to believe that it was impossible to know the truth. [7] They relativized the concept of truth. [8] Postmodernism as a belief became integrated with politics during that time period. [9] As a rule, people were very skeptical. [10] They believed that it was impossible to just sit down and have a rational discussion about what the truth is. [11] These ideas even carried over into the early 1970s.
Second Generation Postmodernism
This brings us to 1980s, when there is a shift in the thinking. There is a new push for equality. [12] No one narrative is better or truer than any other narrative. [13] Now, all narratives are equal. Equal space is made in university curriculums for all of them. It is the era of Affirmative Action. [14] This time period lasts until about 2010.
Third Generation Postmodernism
We are currently in this third generation of postmodernism right now, according to author Stephen Hicks. [15] This stage has been going on for the past ten years or so, he says. [16] The idea is not equality but compensatory justice. [17] The author uses a quote by another well-known author, Ayn Rand, to justify this line of thought. [18] “Sacrifice is the surrender of a greater value for the sake of a lesser one or a nonvalue.” [19] If you think that the rich, powerful, or strong people have been using their position to get stronger, then it is perfectly fine for them to make sacrifices to give back to the weaker. [20] Once the weaker person realizes they have this “tool” at their disposal, the author goes on to say that they are owed something by the stronger group, and the advantaged group feels guilty. [21] This becomes a powerful tool for leveraging one’s position. [22] Stephen Hicks ends by saying those with privilege don’t have equal rights in this situation. [23]
Conclusion
My own thoughts on Postmodernism after reading and watching videos are that we live in a messed-up world. Truth seems relative today. Sometimes I think people don’t believe there even is a truth. Or a right and wrong. We’re in desperate need of a Savior. Christians, more than ever before, must live out their faith because an unbelieving world is watching their every move. We have to not only talk the talk, but we need to walk the walk.
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About the Author
Tonette Kellett
Missionary, teacher, Bible student, traveler ... Having lived in Kenya and Korea, I now live in Mississippi and work with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.12 responses to “Stages of Postmodernism”
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Tonnette,
I really appreciated your honesty and how you broke down this topic. For someone who was not passionate about this topic, you did a great job :). Well done!
Thank you for your consistent encouragement and kindness Greg. I always appreciate your words of support.
Tonette,
I am absolutely impressed.
Fantastic work here. You really went for it!!
I appreciated learning about the different generations of Postmodernism.
I am curious how you see the third generation perspective being played out in America. I would find it difficult to expect a student who is getting a 4.0 to give a student with a lesser GPA some of their GPA points just to make it equal…or to help the student who is doing poorly. The poorly performing student would have no incentive in becoming a better student. Do you have some thoughts on this?
You poured time into your blog. Great job!
Kristy,
Thank you for your response to my post, and your encouragement. As for the 4.0 student sharing their points with a student that performed much lower in class… I’ve heard that example before also. I wouldn’t like it one bit if I was the stronger student. I suppose if I were the struggling student, the extra points would seem a life-saver to me, but at the expense of whom? I wonder if I would even consider at who’s personal cost? That’s a very good example of postmodernism today.
Tonette, thank you for this post, this week’s reading/blog was hard! I even texted Becca and Daron my despair as I was starting to read.
What I’m always in awe of is how self-reflective you are. For a week that the reading was difficult, you conclude with your very real feelings about the world around you and ultimately with how we all need to be more Christ-like in our actions. Thank you for your honesty in your writing and the challenge you leave us with to put words into action!
Caleb,
You are always a breath of fresh air when you write. This week’s reading was very difficult for sure! I struggled also. I appreciate your kind words on my post and your encouragement! Thank you!
Tonette,
I love how honest you were at the beginning of your post then you offered a thorough breakdown of postmodernism- well done! I appreciate the concentration and tenacity it took.
I agree that we live in a messed up world (perhaps it has always been and always feels that way while we inhabit it). It concerns me that we live in an age of power that masquerades as virtue signaling. Yet, I appreciate that those in power have some critique of their power. Do you observe any common, understood truth among your students or co-workers? I am curious if there is an agreed upon truth or mutual suffering that bind them together.
Chad,
Your question is a good one… they all live on a reservation. It’s a way of living that is hard at times and poverty-stricken. It lacks exposure in some ways. It can be good and bad. They share the experience and have for many, many years.
Tonette, great summary of postmodernism. How does understanding this topic impact how you teach or relate to your students? Does it help to know the generations of postmodernism and see how it has changed over the past seventy years? I so agree with you that we are in desperate need of a Savior. I love how you walk the walk and I know your students are better for having you as a teacher.
Becca,
I honestly don’t think that this topic influences how I relate to my students directly. I’m sure indirectly it does. I would have to give it some thought.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!
I was intrigued that you brought Ayn Rand into this post! When talking to my grandmother lately I asked her what was one of the most controversial books that she has read in her 84 years and she mentioned a book by this author. She said she really liked it! I actually had not heard of her prior to going down a rabbit hole after that phone call.
Great summary! I agree with you! We need JESUS!
Alana,
I had never heard of Ayn Rand until one of my sisters brought her up once in a conversation about favorite authors. She loves her. I don’t know how I’d missed even hearing of her over the years.