Postmodernism

The term "Postmodernism" refers to a philosophical and Cultural movement that are distinguished largely by being different from Modernism. The term is hard to define precisely because it has applications in a diverse number of disciplines, including philosophy, art, architecture, film, television, music, sociology, fashion, technology, literature, and communications. It was first studied academically in the 1980's, but is thought to have originated earlier. Exactly when it originated is difficult to pinpoint, of course, but may have first emerged as a burgeoning movement in the 1960's.

Postmodernism emphasizes the role of individual, rather than standardized or canonical, reaction to and interpretation of our experiences. In art, Postmodernism, like Modernism, does not make strong distinction between low and high forms (as prior art movements had), rejects rigid genre boundaries and favors mixing of ideas, and promotes parody, irony, and playfulness. Unlike Modernism, Postmodern art does not approach this fragmentation as tragic, but rather celebrates it. Modernists desired to unearth universals or the fundamentals of art. Postmodernism resists monolithic universals and encourages fractured, fluid and multiple perspectives. Wikipedia is a good example of a postmodern project.

Postmodernist art may be seen as a reaction to the reductionism and abstraction of Modernism. Andy Warhol is an early example. [eJK]

In economics, Postmodernism refers to multinationalist, consumer-based capitalism, as opposed to monopoly capitalism associated with Modernism through the first half of the 20th century, or market capitalism before that. Some think that the shift in mode and technology of production may have precipitated or at least emphasized the change to Modernism and then to Postmodernism.

[Postmodernism -- In Popular Literature]?

For a light hearted introduction to Postmodernism, I recommend Douglas Adams' series Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. His better known work The Hitchhiker's Guide To the Galaxy also has many philosophical elements, including Postmodern ideas.

Postmodernism -- In Philosophy (Includes list of postmodernist philosophers)

Postmodernism -- In Music

[Postmodernism -- In Architecture]?

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See also Syncreticism, Sokal Affair, New Age, Critical Theory