This paper discusses the philosophy of post-modernism, a complicated set of ideas, which are a reaction against failed modern thought without a clear goal for future direction.
Abstract 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."
An analysis of traditional and modern societies during the European expansion, through a review of ?European Expansion and the Civilization of Modernity? written by S. N. Elsenstadt.
Abstract This paper examines modernism in Europe and the rise of socialism in non-Western societies. The paper reviews S. N. Elsenstadt's ?European Expansion and the Civilization of Modernity? and discusses Elsenstadt's arguments regarding the changes in the European expansion in non-Western societies, from being modernist to socialist, even traditionalist, societies. The paper argues that the retardation of modernism in non-Western societies is not exactly the abrupt stoppage of the European expansion.
From the Paper ""European expansion and the civilization of modernity" by S. N. Elsenstadt provides a through discussion and analysis of the dynamics concerning the European expansion, centering in particular on its effects in non-Western or Asian societies. Tracing the history of the European expansion from the emergence of industrialization to the development of capitalism in Western societies, the author seeks to determine what caused the seemingly contradicting development of the so-called "expansionist" movement of modernization in Europe. That is, instead of spreading modernization and capitalism in Asian societies, what occurred was the rise of socialism, which is a new form of society that overturns the basic premises of capitalism-in effect, modernization."
Abstract This paper examines "All That is Solid Melts into Air: The Experience of Modernity," in which author Marshall Bergman examines modernity and concludes that nothing is permanent in modernism. The paper shows how Marshall argues that permanence is impossible because modernism demonstrates no shared purpose, which imposes consequences in the form of a constant breakdown of institutions and a steady deterioration of sociopolitical cohesiveness.
From the Paper "In his book, All That is Solid Melts into Air: The Experience of Modernity, author Marshall Bergman examines modernity and concludes that nothing is permanent in modernism. He argues that permanence is impossible because modernism demonstrates no shared purpose, which imposes consequences in the form of a constant breakdown of institutions and a steady deterioration of sociopolitical cohesiveness. In order to support this thesis of impermanence, Bergman evaluates Karl Marx, whom he considers a major figure in the history of modernity. Marx was an outsider who sought to destroy the organizing principle of modern society--capitalism--and replace it with communism."
Abstract Thispaper examines Jurgen Habermas' attitude towards modernity. It is evident that it is characterized by his emphasis on the importance of rational communication. Habermas judged modernity by objectively evaluating its strengths and weaknesses through rational debate. The paper shows that in his view, the demise of modernity demonstrated that when rational debate is cast aside in favor of a rigid reliance upon a particular sociological theory, that theory will ultimately be discredited. In other words, sociological theories like modernism cannot replace rational thinking, they must reflect rational thinking.
An analysis of the theme of modern travel in the poems "Trans-Siberian Prose and Little Jeanne from France" and "Easter in New York" by Blaise Cendrars.
Abstract The paper reveals that Blaise Cendrars was one of the first writers to interpret modern travel through poetry. In his poems "Trans-Siberian Prose and Little Jeanne from France" and "Easter in New York", Cendrars illustrates a thoughtful human reaction to rapid travel, modernity and the human experience within these new areas. The paper is of the opinion that Cendrars, as one of the first poets to discuss modernity in his poetry, plays an important role in the ongoing cycle of human culture and understanding. The paper demonstrates how both poems, through intense imagery, use of place, metaphor and strong motifs, more than adequately express a vision of modernity in Blaise Cendrars' world.
From the Paper "While the first of the poems may appear to be a glorified travelogue of the author's possibly fictional trip across Asia, it still stands to represent the modern changes in the late 1800s and early 1900s. "Easter in New York," conversely, might be criticized as mocking Christians or Christian religion, though it is intended to illustrate the changes in modern religion through a discourse of change in tradition and Christian ideals. Cendrars, in accordance with the theories of Foucoult, successfully fulfills the role of author by producing these two poems; he not only creates art that is a mirror of the modern changes in travel and the world, but he also becomes an object of the modern world that he illustrates."
Abstract The writer of this paper studies the issues faced by the modern man in Forester's "Howard's End." The book is set in the early twentieth century with the emergence of modernization and struggles between the classes. The paper analyzes the relationship between these classes, the challenges emerging from modernization and how the characters rise to these challenges.
From the Paper In his renowned novel Howards End, E. M. Forester paints a compelling portrait of British society in the early twentieth century. Forester takes the reader on a journey through the trials and tribulations among members of the various social strata who compose the preeminent societal structure in this unique time and place. By setting his novel against the backdrop of an emerging industrial empire, the author makes a bold statement concerning the plight of modern man. According to Forester, this contemporary dilemma plaguing humanity is defined by the inability to make meaningful connections not only across distinct boundaries drawn by the existing social hierarchy but also between man and the natural world around him (alienation in the romantic sense). Furthermore, this tale can be interpreted allegorically with Leonard Bast's character representing Forester's model for the common man, Henry Wilcox portraying the self interested industrialist and the Schlagel's (especially Margaret) exemplifying the liberal intellectual 'voice of reason.'
Abstract This essay gives the historical and social background of modern art, explains the general ways that modernist work can be seen as uniquely different from art that came before, and looks at two specific examples of modern art's radically different approach. It clearly defines modern art and explains the foundations and philosophy behind art of the past hundred and fifty years.
From the Paper "When defining and discussing modern art, it is first important to clarify exactly what the term means. Modern art refers primarily to painting, sculpture, and architecture created since the blossoming of technology and modern society. In broader historical thinking, the word modern refers to that time after the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery, however, the modern art movement is generally agreed to have been between the 1860s and 1970s. Like many discussions about art history, these dates are subjective. Painting, sculpture, and architecture from this period of history are called "modern" or ?modernist.? For many art historians, modern art began with the work of Edward Manet. Manet was one of the first impressionists and modern artists, those who reacted to the very formal and rigid style of painting done inside studios and set by traditional institutions in the nineteenth century. Modernism ended with the start of what many refer to as "post-modernism" in the 1960s and 1970s. This essay will give the historical and social background of modern art, explain the general ways that modernist work can be seen as uniquely different from art that came before, and look at two specific examples of modern art's radically different approach to painting. When compared to Renaissance and other western "traditional art" up to the late nineteenth century, it will be seen that modernism was a totally new paradigm for art."
Abstract The paper summarizes two articles about Islam and Modernity: "The Cultural Dialectic" by I. William Zartman and "Culture Talk; Or How Not to Talk About Islam and Politics" by Mahmood Mamdani. The paper
examines how the authors answer the basic argument that is presented. The conclusion is that Islamic countries are modern, but are following a different path to modernity.
From the Paper "The concept of modernity in Islamic countries is very controversial. Some researchers have tried to portray Islamic countries as backwards and primitive. While other researchers have suggested that Islamic countries are just as modern as other countries they have just been developing in a different way. The articles that will be examined in this paper are both from authors who believe that Islamic countries are just as modern as other countries. The articles are Democracy and Islam: The Cultural Dialectic by I. William Zartman and Culture Talk; Or How Not to Talk About Islam and Politics Mahmood Mamdani."
Abstract This paper examines the nature of modernity in motion within the futurist movement at the turn of the 20th century. By analyzing "State of Mind: The Farewells" (1911) by Umberto Bocking and "Cosmic Flora" (1925) by Paul Klee, the paper shows how the works present both an organic and industrial representation of the fast movement of technological developments, which provide a distinct sense of motion through composition and objective technique. The paper concludes that, through their desire to capture the quickening tempo of advancing technology and rapid development, these painters took an abstract and progressive view towards motion in composition, in which modern motion became the axis of human progress.
From the Paper "Another advocate and inspiration of the futurist movement was Paul Klee, as his compositions also provide a varied set of modern motion that provide a more organic variety of this style. In "Cosmic Flora" Klee shows a set of tiered expressions of the movement of life in 'cosmic' framework, very much like a set of parallel filmstrips in a moving picture. The different aspects of floral and landscape arrangements act as a similar stylistic that was to be used as a vehicle for motion in futurism. Other artists such as Egon Schiele and Franz Marc used this type of motion that provides a framework for motion in relation to space. Klee's attempt to show an abstract point of view of movement in a cosmic setting is also similar to Boccioni's "The City Rises", which provides the idea of modern urban people as a blurred and nearly incomprehensible set of objects that are restless and constantly active. With the 20th century technological advances making rapid progress, Klee is representative of a more organic type of futurism that expressed movement in the fluidity of modern motion (Klee 31), but without the industrial aspects of Boccioni's works. For Klee the major difference between his own organic motion and industrial motion are the only aspects of differentiation that do not bind him to the futurist movement of Boccioni's "State of Mind: The Farewells.""
Abstract This paper is a general sketch about how modernism developed after World War I, with strong influence by 19th Century realism and naturalism. There is a description of firstly, the development of realism, and secondly, the development of naturalism, which leads to the beginnings of modernism and its purpose.
From the Paper "After World War I, American people and the authors among them were left disillusioned by the effects that war had on their society. America needed a literature that would explain what had happened previously and what was happening to their society. American writers turned to what is now known as modernism. The influence of 19th Century realism and naturalism and their truthful representation of American life and people was evident in post World War I modernism. "
Abstract This paper presents a detailed history of ancient and modern Olympic games. The paper includes details of the creating of the winter Olympics, discusses the origins of the modern Olympics and the people behind the movement and looks at the current state of the Olympics.
Tags: ancient games, modern games, greece, coupertin, IOC, olympic ideals, olympic torch, olympic oath, doping
Abstract This paper examines Bram Stocker's novel Dracula in relation to modernity. Specifically, the paper analyzes Stoker's attitude toward scientific achievement which was the widely held Victorian fear of modernity and technology.
From the Paper "Bram Stoker's "Dracula" is one of the best known Gothic tales of supernatural creatures and terror. However there is much more to Stoker's text that meets the eye and the author is able to address several significant concerns of his day while weaving a chilling account of vampires at the same time. Indeed in "Dracula" Stoker expresses the widely-held Victorian fear of technology and modernity and his characters ultimately discover that modern development in science and medicine cannot necessarily be trusted."
Tags: dracula, stoker, modernity, van helsing, lucy, science, advancement, superstition
Abstract The paper explains that modernism is a term used to describe the styles of architecture, arts and literature of the twentieth century. The paper defines the style of modernism in architecture as a form that takes on a clean line and functional focus. The paper discusses how the contemporary world still feels the effect of the modernist influence. The paper concludes that one must wonder if it is on its way to becoming the new traditionalism.
From the Paper "Modernism is a term used to describe the styles of architecture, arts and literature of the twentieth century. The style of modernism in architecture describes a form that takes on a "clean" line and functional focus. It is a "rational" form of architecture that uses non-traditional forms and materials. According to "Contemporary Architects" on the Edinburgh Architecture website: Modern Architecture became linked to a certain genre of building and thus over time wasn't really 'modern' anymore. Contemporary Architecture currently has less baggage; it is not affected by fall-out from the reign of a certain style."
Abstract This paper examines how few topics capture the attention of academics and non-academics in quite the same way as the psyche of the modern man. That is to say, people in the contemporary age tend to see the world around them in ways that would have been utterly inconceivable to their forebears. With that in mind, the paper explores four literary works; Shakespeare's "Hamlet," Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself," Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown" and Tayeb Salih's "Season of Migration to the North." The paper notes how each of them emphasizes a modern conception of man which places humankind at the center of the cosmos, thereby displacing God.
Abstract This paper is a historical examination of medieval society and modern society. It discusses 'The General Prologue' and 'The Canterbury Tales' and how they portray these societies. It describes the classes of those times and the positions that people filled in society such as: Friars, nobleman, clergymen and cowards. It details the story of a friar who used his St. Augustian ways for his benefit as well as the church's benefit.
From the Paper "One of the chief contributions that Geoffrey Chaucer made to the historical world through "The Canterbury Tales" is that he gives what is believed to be the most detailed and honest cross-section of medieval society. Historians who study the language and details of "The Canterbury Tales" and "The General Prologue" can see parallels between medieval society and modern society. Some tradesmen are honest while some overcharge for their services. There are nobleman and cowards. There are gruff lower class workers and students who are poor at the time but will have great jobs when they are done with school. There are also clergymen who give their life for the church but also religious folk who are as conniving and immoral as an everyday crook. The friar, who disregards many of St. Augustine's rules for monastic life, is one of the clergymen who fits into the latter category."
Tags: Geoffrey, Chaucer, 'The, Cantebury, Tales', history, medieval, society, ', The, General, Prologue', modern
