Post-Modernism

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that post-modern sociology and culture has arisen from the after-effects of modern thought; just as values clarification and situational ethics were watch words of the 1980s, post-modernism has become the self-identification moniker of the 21st century. The author believes that the individual is now defined in terms that are important to the individual, rather than in terms of his relationship to the surrounding culture. The paper points out that the term 'post-modernism' has its origins in architecture and art; the post-modern artist grew tired of the traditional means and, in the case of the extreme post-modern artists, accepted the premise that life itself was meaningless.

Table of Contents
Introduction and Post-Modern Definition
Post-Modern Sociology and the Resulting Contradictions
The Self as Social Construction in the Post-Modern World
Post-Modern Individualism as Products of Self-Construction
Power and the Post-Modern Self
Post-Modernism and Responsibility
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Previous generations have sought to bring order and organization to the understanding of self, individualism and personal identify. The postmodernist revels in disorder, and a lack of consistent structure. The postmodern thought system has tired of looking for consistency and meaning in everyday life. Through disappointments with society, and with self, postmodern critical thinkers look to self for guidelines for life. No longer is the goal of a unified culture held as a workable or even desirable goal. Because too many people groups have varied desires and experiences of that same culture, the idea of a homogeneous self identify within the larger social order has been disguarded. The upper middle class business person can never have the same experiences of life as the inner city child growing up on welfare."

More papers on Post-Modernism:

• Research Paper # 47559 : "Post-Modernism in Film"
• Comparison Essay # 6859 : "Architecture: Modernism, Pre-Modernism and Post-Modernism"
• Analytical Essay # 52938 : "Post-Modernism and Self Reflexivity"

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