BEYOND POSTMODERNISM is also referred to by the
term:
post-postmodernism. The goal of this
article is to go beyond postmodernism and not to go back to good
old (modern) times. Beyond postmodernisme is not the same thing as
post-postmodernisme in the sense that we don't have to wait till
the end of postmodernism. Beyond postmodernism is just another
(parallel) dimension of the world in which we are living. Beyond
Postmodernism is happening now. Before adressing the subject of
this article - which is not an easy excercise - we need to
understand the nature postmodernisme. What is it? How dit it came
into being? <br
/>
----
INTRODUCTIONPostmodernism is
an influentual movement in arts, architecture and philosophy
starting at the end of the 19th century. The father of
postmodernism, Friedrich Nietzsche, introduced the concept of
postmodernism into Western society with his saying: "God is dead".
Nietzsche's "Ubermensch" doesn't believe anymore in old ideologies
and dogmas (end of the big narratives, Lyotard). For the Ubermensch
a new time has come; Values and thruths are first and for all the
result of his or her personal choices. What is true for Nietzsche's
Ubermensch is also applicable to postmodern individuals at the
beginning of the 21st century. In this sense one can say that
postmodern philosophy fits perfectly to modern society.
THE POSITIVE SIDE OF
POSTMODERNISMPostmodern philosophy is positive and
pragmatic in the sense that it tries to liberate thinking and
public debate. Postmodernism stimulates people to think for
themselves and to make up their own mind through critical analysis
and debate. The idea of "deconstruction" provides postmodern
individuals with even more tools and competences. People should get
sensitive to "what is not written", "what is not said" or "the
white between the lines" (Derrida). Wikipedia itself is a nice
example of postmodern pluralism and relativism in the sense that it
empowers individuals to develop and express their own hyperthruth.
In a postmodern society we try to avoid imposing our own ideas and
thinking to others. In addition, we don't judge other individuals
for what they think or say. Postmodernism is first and for all
about respecting other person's opinions and ideas. This is the
valuable contribution that postmodern philosophy brought to Western
thinking.
POSTMODERNISM FROM AN HISTORICAL POINT OF
VIEWThe ideas of Nietzsche, like "der Wille zur Macht"
contributed to a very creative period in Germany at the beginning
of the 20th century. The movies of german cineasts, like Lang
(Metropolis, 1927), Wegener (The Golem 1920) and Murnau (Faust,
1926) all express the same intuition of a strange force suppressing
human liberty. Later on also in Hollywood, cineasts, like Whale
(Frankenstein, 1931) and Chaplin (modern times, 1936) express their
unease with something out-there that is taking away our freedom, a
monster in case of Whale, a machine in Modern Times. For a lot of
scolars this sentiment of fear in the early 20 century was due to
the rise of the new industrial age and the global modern economy.
Despite the rebellion of artists againt the new modern society, the
big machines were there to stay and people should learn to live
with them. Then the second world war broke out.
THE
SECOND WORLD WAR AND THE END OF REASONThe second world
war has been identified as the end of reason or grond zero of
humanity. The philosopher Theodor Adorno has been putting it into
these words: "writing poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric". Post-war
Europe stand strong in the belief that people should stand-up
against any ideology that is taking away human dignity and liberty.
The second half of 20th century has shown human beings all over the
world taking destiny into their own hands, like the fall of the
Berlin wall, the opening up of communistic Russia and china, and so
on. Today we are living in a world more open and transparant than
ever before. Some say that the end of history has arrived. The
system of democratie fueled by liberal ecocnomies will establish
happiness and ever lasting peace on earth (Fukuyama). However, the
beginning of the 21st century has shown that men is confronted with
new challenges and dangers, like climate change, globalization and
terrorism. History has not come to an end at all; Time will
accelerate at the speed of light in the years to come.
BUT, ARE WE LIVING IN A POSTMODERN
SOCIETY?No, we cannot say so. Modern independent
individuals or "cosmopolites" are not necessairilly postmodern.
Most people still believe but the objet of their faith has shifted
towards other things, like the future, carreer, the enterprise, the
invisible hand, family, oneself... Some philosophers say that we
believe more than ever before. Off course, believing is a normal
human thing; The average human being cannot live without it. But,
if we want to go beyond postmodernism we should try to define the
nature of postmodernism as clearly as possible. Postmodernism is
not just about being an independent individual realizing oneself in
modern society. Being postmodern also means assuming our absurd
existence in this infinite, cold and dark universe (Camus). Things
are not what they look like. We should go beyond the apperances of
the visible if we wish to enter the world beyond postmodernisme.
WAIT A MOMENT, ARE WE STILL SPEAKING PHILOSOPHY
HERE?YES and NO! YES, we are still in the domain of
reason, but at a new level of consciousness. NO, because the notion
of "Beyond Postmodernism" doesn't fit into classical definitions
and concepts. New categories, languages and images are needed to
express the thing we are talking about here; A thing that we cannot
define and know as such (Kant). Some speak about the need to
rediscover an original poetic language (Heidegger). Others are
trying to give "le sacré" a place in philosophy, like in the works
of Levinas, Eliade and Otto. The Holy defined as the reel "par
excellence" or the infinite Other. The modern world cannot exist
without a certain noblesse without le sacré. If we want humanity to
exist, modern man needs to go beyond postmodernism and develop a
new state of mind. The answer lies in becoming sprirital (homo
religiosos, Eliade). The destiny of man is to become aware of his
spriritual nature and capabilities. For this, again, we don't have
to wait for the end of postmodernism. Beyond postmodernism is NOW!
SOME QUOTES BEYOND POSTMODERNISM ...
Wikis
Search
