Postmodernism, an intriguing and broad concept, encapsulates an epistemology that has gradually evolved from the intellectual legacies of Karl Marx and, to a certain extent, Sigmund Freud. This unfortunately persuasive and compelling paradigm emerged as a reaction to modernism, which itself was a response to the rigid cultural and religious absolutism that pervaded the 19th Century.
Modernism sought to break free from the constraints of traditional thought and values. It aimed to embrace a more rational, scientific, and objective view of the world, which in turn led to significant advancements in various fields. For instance, Albert Einstein's theory of relativity revolutionized our understanding of space and time, while Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theories provided groundbreaking insights into human behavior and mental processes. These scientific breakthroughs embodied the modernist spirit, which rejected the dogmas of the past in favor of empirical evidence and logical reasoning.
In literature and the arts, modernism manifested itself through experimentation and a departure from conventional forms and narratives. Writers such as James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and T.S. Eliot broke from traditional storytelling methods, choosing instead to explore themes of consciousness, fragmentation, and the human condition through innovative techniques like stream of consciousness and non-linear narratives. Similarly, visual artists like Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian sought to redefine artistic expression through abstract and non-representational art, challenging the established norms of realism and representation.
Despite its many achievements, modernism's rationalist approach had significant consequences for religious beliefs and spirituality. The movement's dismissal of supernatural explanations and its focus on scientific inquiry eventually led to a decline in the influence of organized religion. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, for example, provided a scientific alternative to the biblical account of creation, positing that life on Earth developed through a process of natural selection over millions of years. This paradigm shift fueled skepticism toward traditional religious dogmas and contributed to the rise of secularism in the Western world.
Fanning the flames of modernism’s influence on society was the devaluation of subjective experience and emotion, which some critics argue led to a loss of spiritual and moral guidance. In a world dominated by scientific facts and objective truths, the value of subjective beliefs, intuition, and personal faith was often marginalized. This led to a sense of alienation and disillusionment, which was poignantly expressed in the works of modernist writers and artists.
In stark contrast to modernism, which seeks to establish objective truths and values, postmodernism fervently advocates subjectivism. This philosophical movement is underpinned by a set of principles that, while seemingly self-refuting, champion the rejection of objective or absolute truth. Instead, postmodernism elevates individual perspectives and interpretations, which those who hold to it claims fosters a more “inclusive” and “diverse” view of the world.
Yet, postmodernism's most significant and lasting impact on society can be observed in the realm of morality. By rejecting any absolute standard for morality, such as the Scriptures, postmodernism posits that what is right or wrong for one person or group of people may not necessarily apply to others. For example, while objective morality which is grounded in the truth of God’s revelation to mankind understands that abortion is morally wrong, postmodernists might argue that a woman's “right to choose” overrides this, reflecting subjective perspectives on morality based instead on individual beliefs, desires, and cultural backgrounds.