Principle of Postmodernism

PRINCIPLE OF POSTMODERNISM
By: Matthew Lynch
Understanding philosophy is important for educators not only so that they possess an
individual philosophy but gain more awareness to the philosophies of their students and
administrators. This article focuses on postmodernism.
Postmodernism describes the school of thought arising mainly from oppositional and
radical movements in contemporary society. The advent of the Industrial Revolution
brought about major societal changes, as well as several social inequalities that were
previously unheard of. Although the advances in science and technology continue to
shape the world as we know it, the accompanying social changes in power and class
structure tend to persist in similar forms as well. It is in opposition to these now-
established societal structures that postmodernist thought arose in very different areas
of the world.
Philosophers who contributed to postmodernism include Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin

Heidegger, Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, and Karl Marx. Friedrich Nietzsche
(1844–1900) was a German philosopher who contributed the notion of life affirmation to
postmodernism and questioned even the most socially acceptable doctrines, such as
religion and morality. Nietzsche focused on the world around us rather than the afterlife.
Martin Heidegger (1899–1976), another German philosopher, is known for creating the
concept of existentialist phenomenology. Existentialist phenomenology concludes that
we construct our own truths from within, as opposed to theories that advocate one
universal truth. Furthermore, Heidegger inferred that we are not born into an existing
reality but construct our own reality based on our involvement in the world and on our
innate intuitions.
Jacques Derrida (1930–2004), a French philosopher, was well known for his
controversial approach to understanding the world, the deconstruction method, and was
a major contributor to postmodernism. The deconstruction method is a process of
criticizing literary texts, philosophical texts, and political theories. It entails a breakdown
of the rational purposes, or logos, of earlier Western philosophy that was believed to
govern the universe. Additionally, Derrida believed that universal rationality was not
found in objective reality, but in the text. Simply stated, deconstruction is simply a
method of exploring the text to find additional shades of meaning.
Michel Foucault (1926–1984) was a French philosopher who examined the theories of,
and relationship between, truth and power. Foucault established the presence of
episteme in philosophy. Epistemes are the knowledge or understanding that contribute
to a society at a particular time in history. He claimed that there is not one universal
truth, but several truths, unique to each individual. These multiple truths result in a
constant shift in the relationship of truth and power. As a result, power is not something
that can be possessed, but something that can be implemented.
Postmodernist educators believe that there is no absolute or universal truth, arguing

that truth changes with the advent of new events and discoveries. This means that
scientific events that took place historically on one side of the world have influenced
political and social events that are now taking place on another.
Postmodernist educators embrace and encourage individual expression, going further

to encourage cross-cultural dialogue and debates as a necessary factor in the
education process. An important point raised by postmodernists is that political factors
and themes such as power and social inequality must be addressed if a teacher is to
provide a holistic education. These themes are as relevant to science and mathematics
as they are to social sciences, with the postmodernist view rejecting the idea that
subjects should be rigidly compartmentalized.
Based on this overview of postmodernism, what is your philosophy and does it align
with your school’s education system? It is necessary to know the philosophy behind
your school because as a teacher you are viewed as one who is upholding these values
and beliefs.

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PRINCIPLE OF POSTMODERNISM

By: Matthew Lynch

Philosophers who contributed to postmodernism include Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin

Postmodernist educators believe that there is no absolute or universal truth, arguing

Postmodernist educators embrace and encourage individual expression, going further

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