post-modernism

Cards (20)

  • modernity
    era where humanity was defined by scientific & technological advances
  • features of modernity
    -industrial economy = many worked in factories
    -importance of nation-state = no international laws yet
    = state highest level of social order
    -urbanisation = cities growing
    -science & rationality = expanding knowledge through proof
    -stability = few social / technological changes
    -predictability = job & relationship for life
  • globalisation
    -increasing interconnectedness of people across the world
    -frequently communicating with people from other cultures due to technology & efficient travel
    -undermines traditional norms & values and gives individuals greater choice
  • post-modernism
    -theorists become interested in rapid pace of social change
    -most argue reality in some way is subjective
  • features of post-modernism
    -global = people are moving & ideas, information & money flowing across national boundaries
    -media-saturated = due to huge expansion in digital & media technology
    -fragmented = change more rapid, stability lost
    -consumerist = people can create their identity through what they consume rather than being defined by social structures through their work
    -cultural diversity & hybridity = globalisation led to spreading & mixing of cultures > numerous 'subcultures' too
  • FOUCAULT
    -argues "knowledge"/"truth" can easily be manipulated in postmodernity
    > birth & death rates not always accurate
    > can be manipulated through social policy
    -have no way of knowing what's really true anymore
  • metanarrative in postmodernity - LYOTARD
    -understand "truth" about world through narratives > stories individuals/groups tell us
    -metanarratives : claim to understand whole world
    -Lyotard rejects metanarratives - used to impose their version of truth
    -dangerous as enables oppressive totalitarian state to impose their truth
    -Lyotard prefers postmodern era
  • Baudrillard
    -says the world is a place people respond to images / symbols rather than real people, places & objects
    -consumer culture demonstrates how we're disconnected from reality
  • Simulacra
    -simulation that replaces reality it once imitated
    -devoid of reality
  • Hyper-Reality
    society is composed of many simulacra creating hyper-reality
  • strengths
    -highlighted important cultural changes in media, culture, identity
    -recognises identity as more fluid
    -provides insight into modern issues
    -influenced way sociologists research
  • criticisms
    -individuals aren't completely 'free' to construct identities
    -structures in society still exist & limit our choices & behaviour
    -wrong to assume we can't distinguish reality from media (simulacra/hyper-reality)
  • choice in post-modernity
    -shopping good example illustrating shift in choice through different eras
    > corner shop (pre-modern)
    > shopping mall (modern)
    > internet shopping (postmodern)
  • key concepts
    > modernity
    > globalisation
    > postmodernity
    > fragmentation, consumerism, choice & diversity
    > knowledge & truth
    > enlightenment project
    > metanarratives
    > simulacra/hyper-reality
  • key postmodernists
    -Michel Foucault
    -Jean Baudrillard
    -Jean-Francois Lyotard
  • knowledge & big data - FOUCAULT
    -knowledge : shapes how we see world , subjective so perceptions of world shaped by what we think is true
    -big data : how population stats & demographies are used by gov
  • why does Lyotard prefer postmodern era?
    -all metanarratives are equally true
    -therefore rejected entirely
  • knowledge & progress in premodernity
    -premodern society > belief in religion, spirituality, magic enabled people to access "truth" and give answers about world
    -beliefs didn't change and so society remained stable
  • knowledge & progress in modernity
    -people believed science could help uncover truth about the world
    -helped us improve the world > 'Enlightenment project'
    -as science developed so did our knowledge & society
  • knowledge & progress in postmodernity
    -religion & other theories of world are just theories
    -no theory can give us true knowledge of world
    -progress through the Enlightenment project no longer possible