Postmodernism Theory - Essay Example

? Postmodernism Theory Postmodernism theory refers to a non-traditional approach of defining existing concepts, which deviates from previously known super-structural theories. Most scholars consider modernism as providing the foundation of postmodernism theory. However, these scholars also agree on the fact that postmodernism theorists deviate from modernism in their radical, critical approach. Unlike previously existing theories which took a traditional approach in explaining concepts, Postmodernism takes into consideration the dynamic nature of social concepts. The theory advances that absolute truths do not exist because all apparent realities result from social construction by individuals. Meaning, people’s continually changing experiences influence their perception, and in turn, affects the way they define concepts. The subjective nature of individuals’ perspectives serves to explain the role played by language, motivations behind the formation of ideas and power relations. Examples of postmodernism theorists include; Michel Foucault (1926-1984), and Jean-Francois Lyotard among others (David, 1994). Postmodernism disagrees with the use of binary classifications found in many social concepts, for example, the classification of gender into male and female, and, classification on the basis of variations of individuals’ sexual orientation among other things. When compared to pre-existing philosophical ideologies, postmodernism tends to share similar conceptions with skepticism, pluralism, idealism and constructivism. This is because, just like the mentioned schools of thought, postmodernism revolves around deconstruction, which involves analyzing the foundation or basic elements of the element under scrutiny. Deconstruction helps identify the assumptions used to formulate various concepts, therefore, critic or applaud these assumptions. The establishment of postmodernism occurred in the 1950s and persisted throughout the 1960s dominating various disciplines including sociology, anthropology and various arts. Therefore, the essay below discusses postmodern approaches in sociology and further analyses the advantages and disadvantages of postmodernism theory (Jason, 2007). Postmodernism theorists were of the opinion that using a modernist approach in the study of social concepts represented progress and better understanding of society. Therefore, the major perspectives of postmodernism theory included the following. Firstly, postmodernists rejected the idea of the grand narrative, and replaced it with a set of discontinuous, dispersed narratives, which helped to show the dynamic nature of social concepts. Secondly, these theorists deviated from the previously adopted approach of structuralism advanced by Marx. Thus, they embraced Foucault’s theory, which emphasized a post-structuralism approach in which viewed power as a set of spread out discourses. These theorists also rejected the concept of rationalism, which used scientific, empirical ways to formulate known truths about the social world. Therefore, in its place, postmodernists replaced it with a model which accounted for the subjective nature of individual’s perceptions in interpreting social concepts. In addition, this new model was also open to falsification, whereby, deconstruction of previously known theories of social concepts occurred allowing for people to question apparent realities (Kenneth, 2009). Postmodernism theorists viewed people as an integral part of research, whereby; they viewed individuals as the cornerstone of all their research endeavors by using their standpoints. The Standpoint theory in Sociology is an example of a postmodernist theory. This theory advances the unique nature of individuals standpoints used to form perspectives based on their unique experiences as being an integral part of understanding social concepts. This approach serves to provide qualitative research data complementing the quantitative research data. Finally, these theorists reject the concept of progress advanced by Western history found in functionalism and structuralism theories, in Sociology. Postmodernism has various advantages. Firstly, the theory takes into account the different standpoints influencing individuals’ perspectives. Consideration of standpoints when trying to explain social concepts prove noteworthy. This is because it allows for researchers to analyze people’s different perspectives reducing the chances of falsified data. Secondly, postmodernism complements epistemology, which is the, branch of philosophy dealing with the study of knowledge. Postmodernism revolves around deconstruction of already known theories. Therefore, the theory attempts to justify truthful information by using epistemology’s justification theory of truth. This helps in the identification of truthful information and disproving of false information. Thirdly, the theory continues to prove beneficial in various fields like art, and literature among others by advancing progress. The theory is multidisciplinary in nature. Postmodernism accounts for the role of language, motivations behind the formation of ideas and power relations in the formation of people’s perspectives, which affect their interpretation of various concepts found in various fields. Finally, the theory disapproves of binary classification of certain concepts, for example, the classification of gender into either male or female. The rejection of binary classification proves beneficial because it eradicates stereotypes and prejudices. Binary classifications result from social construction meaning they vary with the individual’s different perspectives (Richardson, 1997). Therefore, the fact that they are disputable makes the perspectives unsuitable for use in defining social concepts. Postmodernism has, therefore, propagated the spread of feminist movements among others. On the other hand, postmodernism theory has some disadvantages. Firstly, the theory promotes obscurantism. Postmodernism theory revolves around deconstruction of previously established theories, which define known social concepts. The fact that postmodernism’s foundation claims that realities are non-existent creates obscurity making it hard to explain concepts. Despite the subjective nature of people’s interpretations of phenomena based on their perspectives, people can agree on the existence of certain realities. For example, people might disagree on the definition, causes and consequences of change, however, they all agree on the existence of the phenomenon of change, and that change results in a variety of consequences. Secondly, postmodernist theorists’ critical nature and their rejecting rationalism as an approach discredit the authenticity of postmodernism as a theory. This is because, rationalism as a school of thought emphasizes the use empirical, scientific methods in the formulation of apparent realities. Empirical scientific methods yield truthful information because of the authentic, reliable nature of the experiments carried out (Ritzer, 1997). Finally, the theory puts considerable emphasis on people’s standpoints, which generate varied information that might not be beneficial in the end. Standpoints also yield subjective information, which sometimes cannot be scientifically tested. As a result, formulation of social theories became harder unlike previously where theorists formulated social theories easily by combining both empiricism and rationalism. Empiricism considers people’s experiences in research whereas rationalism considers the empirical aspect in research. Carolee Schneemann abstract painting and body collage During the late 1950s-1960s, postmodernist artists ventured into new, unreserved styles of performing various forms of art. This allowed the artists to incorporate music, art and dance in a single performance, for example, Carolee Schneemann. As the years passed, many artists began embracing revolutionized forms or art. Art underwent a transformation with the rise of feminist art, which sort to challenge male bias, and the sexist attitudes defining people’s thinking in the way people criticized and wrote about female artists. This increased the level of exposure of female artists’ works in museums and visual media. The depicted art work relates to the postmodern theory because of the way it defies previously known ways in which art used to be performed (David, 1994). The enlightenment period also brought about a change in the architectural industry, whereby the designs changed from previously known, old school designs to modern, contemporary designs. The postmodern designs were bold, diverse and consisted of intricate details. They also required new technology and pushed engineering to a different advanced scale to accomplish architects’ demands. The picture depicted above, shows the Baj al Arab, found in the United Arab Emirates. The architect’s on this project showcased postmodernist unique qualities by pushing architectural designs to an advanced level (Richardson, 1997). This theory relates differently with different individuals. For example, those with a radical, critical view of social concepts find this theory appealing. This is because postmodernism theory revolves around deconstructing and criticizing of previously known social concepts. On the other hand, conservative people disagree with postmodernism as a social theory because of the theory's radical perspectives. Either way, postmodernism as a theory continually helps explain the current nature of society. Unlike traditional society, different aspects impart various consequences on social concepts, for example, technology. Throughout the years, the dynamic nature of technology continues to force people to adapt to the changes or else be left behind. Therefore, previously existing theories proved insufficient in explaining perspectives of people living in a modern society. This is because, people in the traditional society dealt with different issues, which influenced their perspectives. This also applies to people living in the contemporary society. For example, warfare in the past influenced people in a different manner compared to warfare in a modern society. This is because of the difference in the ammunition used reasons leading to warfare, and level of technology among other factors (Kenneth, 2009). Postmodernism theory relates to me as an individual through the theory’s consideration of individual’s standpoints. This serves to take into account how my standpoints influence the way I view social concepts. The difference in culture affects the formulation of standpoints; hence this plays an enormous role in the way I interpret various experiences. Hypothetically speaking, if I belonged to a minority culture, my perspectives of the societal concepts would be different from an individual who belonged to a majority culture (Jason, 2007). For clients, the same would apply for individuals differing in age, economic status and race among other things. Therefore, postmodernism theory takes into consideration the differing perspectives of individuals. This goes against previously existing theories which viewed individuals as objects of research. In addition, postmodernism approach has also led to changes in various disciplines, allowing people to bravely, defy the norms and venture into new, bold areas. For example, artists, architects and other professionals, continue to brave new territories without fearing condemnation from the previously conservative society (Turner, 2006). In conclusion, postmodernism as a theory contributes to the progress of Sociology as a discipline. This is because, of its approach of re-evaluating already known social concepts by analyzing them from a new perspective. In addition, postmodernist theorists give consideration to the subjective nature of people’s perspectives. This allows for the collection of qualitative data, which complements quantitative data collected while conducting research on existing social concepts. Postmodernism also accounts for the dynamic nature of societal concepts; hence, the theory keeps up with the changing aspects present in society which directly or indirectly affect these concepts (Ritzer, 2000). References David R. Dickens, A. F. (1994). Postmodernism and Social Inquiry. New Jersey: Guilford Press. Jason L. Powell, T. O. (2007). Reconstructing Postmodernism: Critical Debates. New York: Nova Publishers. Kenneth Allan, K. D. (2009). Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory: Seeing the Social World. New York: Pine Forge Press. Richardson, L. (1997). Fields of Play: Constructing an Academic Life. Washington: Rutgers University Press. Ritzer, G. (1997). Postmodern social theory. New York: McGraw-Hill. Ritzer, G. (2000). Sociological theory. New York: McGraw-Hill. Turner, J. H. (2006). Handbook of Sociological Theory. 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