Post Modern Contexts Post Modern Contexts Session 2Session 2

Rev Dr Joshva Raja Rev Dr Joshva Raja

17 Jan 200717 Jan 2007

ResourcesResources

Stuart Hall et al Stuart Hall et al Modernity and Its Modernity and Its Futures…Futures…..

Steven Best and Douglas Kellner, Steven Best and Douglas Kellner, Science, Science, Technology and Culture Studies at the Technology and Culture Studies at the Third Millenium, Third Millenium, Guilford Press,Guilford Press, 2001.2001.

J Richard Middleton and Brian J Walsh. J Richard Middleton and Brian J Walsh. Truth is stranger than is used to be. Truth is stranger than is used to be. Biblical Faith in a PostModern Age. SPCK, Biblical Faith in a PostModern Age. SPCK, 1995. pp. 9-451995. pp. 9-45

Resources contd…Resources contd…

Peter Mclaren, Peter Mclaren, Revolutionary Revolutionary Multiculturalism: Pedagogies of Multiculturalism: Pedagogies of Dissent for the New Millenium: The Dissent for the New Millenium: The Edge, Critical Studies in Educational Edge, Critical Studies in Educational Theory.Theory. 1996. 1996.

Lawrence F Cahoone. Lawrence F Cahoone. From From Modernism to Postmodernism: An Modernism to Postmodernism: An Anthology (Blackwell Philosophy Anthology (Blackwell Philosophy Anthologies.Anthologies. Blackwell, 2003.Blackwell, 2003.

Post Modern CharacteristicsPost Modern Characteristics Deconstructing ModernityDeconstructing Modernity Post structuralismPost structuralism Hemeneutics of RealityHemeneutics of Reality Power –knowledge linksPower –knowledge links Hermeneutics of the otherHermeneutics of the other Linguistic move – Metaphoric realismLinguistic move – Metaphoric realism PragmatismPragmatism Social construction of ScienceSocial construction of Science Feminist EpistemologiesFeminist Epistemologies Spirals of changesSpirals of changes

historical eclecticismhistorical eclecticism, (as , (as inventing tradition by imitating the inventing tradition by imitating the older forms) older forms)

·  ·  multiculturalismmulticulturalism, (reference with , (reference with the locality and ethnicity) the locality and ethnicity)

·  and ·  and spectaclespectacle. (a theater scene, . (a theater scene, commercialization of built commercialization of built environment)environment)

The Crisis of our TimesThe Crisis of our Times

1492 1492 The Conquest of Paradise The Conquest of Paradise Columbus ‘Discovery’ of AmericaColumbus ‘Discovery’ of America Discovery – Geographical and Discovery – Geographical and

historicalhistorical A loud criticism of the Columbus in A loud criticism of the Columbus in

Western History is an evidence of a Western History is an evidence of a major cultural shiftmajor cultural shift

From Classical story to alternative From Classical story to alternative version of the story!?version of the story!?

Other voicesOther voices

Different voices that were not heard Different voices that were not heard beforebefore

Past liberal notions of tolerance and Past liberal notions of tolerance and freedom of speech simply did not freedom of speech simply did not include views, traditions and include views, traditions and practices of people as contrary to the practices of people as contrary to the mainstream as Native Americans, mainstream as Native Americans, African Americans and so on African Americans and so on

Policies of exhibition, art are under Policies of exhibition, art are under question – alternative voicesquestion – alternative voices

Modernity and ProgressModernity and Progress

A Challenge to the centre of our society A Challenge to the centre of our society from the margins from the margins

Progress Via Modernity (1470 – the Progress Via Modernity (1470 – the beginning of the Italian Renaissance) and beginning of the Italian Renaissance) and Enlightenment (1700 – the start of the Enlightenment (1700 – the start of the enlightenment)enlightenment)

Modernity – a. secular, natural and Modernity – a. secular, natural and scientific b. power of individual minds, no scientific b. power of individual minds, no more submission c. belief in Progressmore submission c. belief in Progress

Myth of Progress and Tower of Myth of Progress and Tower of Babel Babel

History of progress begins from History of progress begins from Egypt and Greece and not in China Egypt and Greece and not in China and not Sub-saharan Africaand not Sub-saharan Africa

Genesis 11:1-9 Building a city with a Genesis 11:1-9 Building a city with a tower reaching to the heavens – tower reaching to the heavens – Western dreams of progress – Western dreams of progress – towering civilization, a social and towering civilization, a social and cultural accomplishment of immense cultural accomplishment of immense and achievement - Eiffel tower, and achievement - Eiffel tower, Toronto CN TowerToronto CN Tower

Babel TowerBabel Tower

Come let us build ourselves a city and a Come let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth (Gen 11:4)face of the whole earth (Gen 11:4)

These builders desired fame, distinction These builders desired fame, distinction and glory – making names for themselves, and glory – making names for themselves, reaching heights no one has reached…reaching heights no one has reached…

Cultural and social cohesion – Uniformity Cultural and social cohesion – Uniformity of all race – social harmony, freedom from of all race – social harmony, freedom from disease and prosperity for all!disease and prosperity for all!

Floors in the BabelFloors in the Babel

Ground floor of modernity was Ground floor of modernity was sciencescience

first floor is enlightenment and first floor is enlightenment and power of reasoningpower of reasoning

Age of industrial revolutions –age of Age of industrial revolutions –age of machinesmachines

Economic growth - Market forcesEconomic growth - Market forces Western Culture as final floorWestern Culture as final floor

Ideal worldIdeal world Imagine a society where no Imagine a society where no

ignorance, no disease, no poverty ignorance, no disease, no poverty and no war and no war

Civilization in which people be Civilization in which people be genuinely happy and truly free.genuinely happy and truly free.

In Modern era we are our own In Modern era we are our own saviours – homo autonomous – saviours – homo autonomous – means autonomous subjects can means autonomous subjects can devise our own remedy for the devise our own remedy for the problemsproblems

Human betterment and progress to Human betterment and progress to be achieved solely by human beings. be achieved solely by human beings.

Modernity in troubleModernity in trouble

When finished our street will be platinum, When finished our street will be platinum, never mind gold.never mind gold.

The foundation of Babel tower is founded The foundation of Babel tower is founded on Human autonomoy on Human autonomoy (Gen 2:17 and Gen 3)(Gen 2:17 and Gen 3)

The idea of progress was based on The idea of progress was based on idolatrous faith – on science, technology idolatrous faith – on science, technology and economic growth.and economic growth.

Science as authoritative knowledge, Science as authoritative knowledge, technism as power and control over the technism as power and control over the creation, standard of livingcreation, standard of living

AnxietyAnxiety

Isaiah 46:1-5 become like themIsaiah 46:1-5 become like them Psalm 115 instability of idolsPsalm 115 instability of idols Jeremiah 10:3-5 like Scare crowsJeremiah 10:3-5 like Scare crows War and Bombs? Hiroshima and Nagasagi War and Bombs? Hiroshima and Nagasagi

– economic Progress? – economic Progress? Loss of hope and sense of anxietyLoss of hope and sense of anxiety Catch-22 film in 1986 – US being Catch-22 film in 1986 – US being

destroyed?destroyed? Fear of new world order – economic Fear of new world order – economic

security, sexual morality different and odd security, sexual morality different and odd ideas that emergeideas that emerge

The Changing realities The Changing realities

Realisation - Centre of Universe is no Realisation - Centre of Universe is no more centremore centre

Suspicion that modern West inflicted Suspicion that modern West inflicted violence on others and non-Western violence on others and non-Western too but claims of higher moral statustoo but claims of higher moral status

Pagans who did not believe in Jesus Pagans who did not believe in Jesus are destined for eternal damnation?are destined for eternal damnation?

Judging other’s view when we do not Judging other’s view when we do not have access to the truthhave access to the truth

What is reality?What is reality?

Three umpires after a baseball gameThree umpires after a baseball game One, “There’s balls and there’s One, “There’s balls and there’s

strikes and I call ‘em the way they strikes and I call ‘em the way they are”are”

Second,”There’s balls and there’s Second,”There’s balls and there’s strikes and I call ‘em the way I see strikes and I call ‘em the way I see ‘em.‘em.

Third, “There’s balls and there’s Third, “There’s balls and there’s strikes and they ain’t nothin’ until I strikes and they ain’t nothin’ until I call ‘emcall ‘em

What is Reality then?What is Reality then? First umpire is naïve realist – human First umpire is naïve realist – human

knowing is direct correspondence knowing is direct correspondence between the external world and between the external world and epistemological judgements - epistemological judgements - ObjectiveObjective

Second umpire is perspectival realist Second umpire is perspectival realist – the way he sees the world invariably – the way he sees the world invariably affects his epistemological affects his epistemological judgements - Subjective -judgements - Subjective -

Third umpire is radical Third umpire is radical perspectivalism –his perspective is all perspectivalism –his perspective is all there is or atleast all that matters - there is or atleast all that matters - Honest positionHonest position

Reality Real?Reality Real?

Modernity – truth is correspondence Modernity – truth is correspondence between given reality and the between given reality and the thoughts or assertions of the knowerthoughts or assertions of the knower

POMO - Linguistic and conceptual POMO - Linguistic and conceptual constructions bias usconstructions bias us

Perspectival character of human life Perspectival character of human life and knowing – second umpand knowing – second ump

No Correspondence at all – pomo No Correspondence at all – pomo but one’s own private realitybut one’s own private reality

RealityReality

Reality is a human construct and also Reality is a human construct and also a social constructa social construct

Whose reality? From whose Whose reality? From whose perspective? Why someone’s perspective? Why someone’s perspective of reality rules? Why perspective of reality rules? Why someone’s construction of reality is someone’s construction of reality is given privileged status?given privileged status?

DeconstructionDeconstruction

Western Intellectual tradition claims to Western Intellectual tradition claims to reflect and represent reality so accurately reflect and represent reality so accurately that it simply mirrors the way the things that it simply mirrors the way the things really are. really are.

Mimetic (imitative) theory of truth with its Mimetic (imitative) theory of truth with its assumption of a substantial convergence assumption of a substantial convergence between reality and the description of between reality and the description of reality. Deconstruction shows us what is reality. Deconstruction shows us what is claimed to be present is really absent and claimed to be present is really absent and the given is itself a construction of human the given is itself a construction of human discourse. discourse.

ReificationReification

To reify something is to treat it as it To reify something is to treat it as it were a thing (Latin res) external to were a thing (Latin res) external to ourselvesourselves

Reification implies that a human Reification implies that a human being is capable of forgetting his own being is capable of forgetting his own authorship of the human world and authorship of the human world and the dialectic between human being, the dialectic between human being, the producer and his products is lost the producer and his products is lost to consciousness (Berger and to consciousness (Berger and Luckmann). Luckmann).

CritiqueCritique

Scientific objectivity is to master the Scientific objectivity is to master the world once and for all by enclosing it world once and for all by enclosing it within an illusory but absolute within an illusory but absolute system which represents or system which represents or corresponds to a unitary being corresponds to a unitary being beyond history, particularity and beyond history, particularity and changechange

Mastering means to legitimate Mastering means to legitimate Western conquest and political Western conquest and political superiority and masters and superiority and masters and possessors of nature possessors of nature

Really?Really?

Master over human beingsMaster over human beings Universal truth to one’s local Universal truth to one’s local

conventions tends to legitimate conventions tends to legitimate Western conquest and political Western conquest and political superiority. superiority.

Reality functions as a primitive form Reality functions as a primitive form of crowd control. Derrida the entire of crowd control. Derrida the entire philosophical tradition, in its meaning philosophical tradition, in its meaning and at bottom would make common and at bottom would make common cause with oppressioncause with oppression

Aggressive realismAggressive realism Metaphysics of presence is a direct result of Metaphysics of presence is a direct result of

seeking to grasp the infinite, irreducible seeking to grasp the infinite, irreducible complexities of the world as a unified and complexities of the world as a unified and homogenous totality. homogenous totality.

Deconstructionist suspicious because totalising Deconstructionist suspicious because totalising seeks to reduce heterogeneous diversity of reality seeks to reduce heterogeneous diversity of reality to a system which I can grasp. to a system which I can grasp.

Unity of truth is purchased at the cost violence by Unity of truth is purchased at the cost violence by repressing what does not fit. repressing what does not fit.

Deconstructionist force people to inquire about Deconstructionist force people to inquire about what has been left out, silenced or suppressed in what has been left out, silenced or suppressed in all constructions that aspire toward a total all constructions that aspire toward a total accounting of realityaccounting of reality

Naturalized?Naturalized?

Who is the other?Who is the other? Alien are naturalized citizensAlien are naturalized citizens When convinced of the truth or right When convinced of the truth or right

of a given worldview (Kenneth of a given worldview (Kenneth Gregen) a culture has only two Gregen) a culture has only two significant options totalitarian control significant options totalitarian control of the opposition or annihilation of it. of the opposition or annihilation of it.

Deconstructionists do therapeutic Deconstructionists do therapeutic process of denaturalization. Accepted process of denaturalization. Accepted practices and dominant features are practices and dominant features are not necessarily natural but culturalnot necessarily natural but cultural

DisorientationDisorientation

Social construction of reality to shield us Social construction of reality to shield us from the abyss of meaninglessness by from the abyss of meaninglessness by providing us with a sacred canopy of providing us with a sacred canopy of meaning and ordermeaning and order

Deconstruction is the realization that this Deconstruction is the realization that this canopy is humanly constructed leaves us canopy is humanly constructed leaves us unprotected before the abyssunprotected before the abyss

Deconstructionism confronts us with the Deconstructionism confronts us with the claim that all order is arbitrary, imposed claim that all order is arbitrary, imposed imposed on the world by human beings, imposed on the world by human beings, usually for self-serving and violent reasons. usually for self-serving and violent reasons.

Our role in ConstructionOur role in Construction If reality is socially constructed them we If reality is socially constructed them we

have to admit that we have participated in have to admit that we have participated in the construction of destructive events and the construction of destructive events and actions. actions.

Our reality is a hole in the Ozone layer, Our reality is a hole in the Ozone layer, environmental destruction, debilitating environmental destruction, debilitating poverty and worldwide inequity, poverty and worldwide inequity, oppression and terror. It is a reality of oppression and terror. It is a reality of abuse, loneliness, fear and perpetual abuse, loneliness, fear and perpetual threat. threat.

It is painful to take the postmodern It is painful to take the postmodern therapy for the progressive dreamerstherapy for the progressive dreamers

HyperrealityHyperreality Hyperreality is a way of Hyperreality is a way of characterising the way the characterising the way the

consciousness interacts with consciousness interacts with "reality". Specifically, when a "reality". Specifically, when a

consciousness loses its ability to consciousness loses its ability to distinguish reality from fantasy, distinguish reality from fantasy, and begins to engage with the and begins to engage with the latter without understanding latter without understanding what it is doing, it has shifted what it is doing, it has shifted

into the world of the into the world of the hyperrealhyperreal..

Copy and realityCopy and reality

the the McDonald'sMcDonald's "M" arches create a "M" arches create a world with the promise of endless world with the promise of endless amounts of identical food, when in amounts of identical food, when in "reality" the "M" represents nothing, "reality" the "M" represents nothing, and the food produced is neither and the food produced is neither identical nor infinite. identical nor infinite.

Jean Baudrillard - Age of Simulacrum Jean Baudrillard - Age of Simulacrum – means a state of such near perfect – means a state of such near perfect replication that the difference replication that the difference between the original and the copy between the original and the copy becomes almost impossible to spot. becomes almost impossible to spot.

Disneyland is described as fully Disneyland is described as fully integrated hyperreal island.integrated hyperreal island.

Cool Whip SocietyCool Whip Society Cool Whip is hyperreal cream, Cool Whip is hyperreal cream,

cheaper, more durable and far less cheaper, more durable and far less caloric than the real thing. Cool Whip caloric than the real thing. Cool Whip does not need whipping and is free of does not need whipping and is free of cholesterol. Enormous efforts have cholesterol. Enormous efforts have been undertaken to provide us with been undertaken to provide us with fat and sugars devoid of calories. fat and sugars devoid of calories.

Cool WhipCool Whip is a brand of imitation is a brand of imitation whipped creamwhipped cream called a "whipped called a "whipped topping" by its manufacturer. It is topping" by its manufacturer. It is used as a dessert topping and in used as a dessert topping and in some no-bake pie recipes. some no-bake pie recipes.

A Cool Whip SocietyA Cool Whip Society

Simulated lakes and Simulated lakes and waterfalls at recreational waterfalls at recreational water parks rather than risk water parks rather than risk the pollution at the local lake the pollution at the local lake or river, shop in climate or river, shop in climate controlled malls that attempt controlled malls that attempt to look like old fashioned to look like old fashioned shopping neighbourhoodsshopping neighbourhoods

Simulated lakes and Simulated lakes and waterfalls at recreational waterfalls at recreational water parks rather than risk water parks rather than risk the pollution at the local lake the pollution at the local lake or river, shop in climate or river, shop in climate controlled malls that attempt controlled malls that attempt to look like old fashioned to look like old fashioned shopping neighbourhoodsshopping neighbourhoods

Geographical conflict has become Geographical conflict has become spectacle. Deadly and bloody spectacle. Deadly and bloody battlefields are called battle theatre. battlefields are called battle theatre.

Demolition of Berlin Wall and war Demolition of Berlin Wall and war against Iraq are global spectaclesagainst Iraq are global spectacles

Entertaining and spectacles about Entertaining and spectacles about themthem

WE live in a time of transition where WE live in a time of transition where both exist – modernity and both exist – modernity and postmodernitypostmodernity

Cable POMOCable POMO

Cable culture – carnival life – never Cable culture – carnival life – never ending array of sideshows – entertain ending array of sideshows – entertain and titillate usand titillate us

Commodification of belief – marketedCommodification of belief – marketed Liberalism and reality - Liberalism and reality -

nonnegotiable and previleged – nonnegotiable and previleged – tower of Babel – fallen changed tower of Babel – fallen changed realities or understanding of realitiesrealities or understanding of realities

MulticulturalismMulticulturalism

MulticulturalismMulticulturalism is an is an ideologyideology advocating that society should advocating that society should consist of, or at least allow and consist of, or at least allow and include, distinct include, distinct culturalcultural groups, with groups, with equal status. Multiculturalism equal status. Multiculturalism contrasts with the contrasts with the monoculturalismmonoculturalism which was historically the norm in which was historically the norm in the the nation-statenation-state. .

Mono and Multi CulturalismMono and Multi Culturalism

Monoculturalism implies a Monoculturalism implies a normativenormative cultural unity, 'monocultural' can be cultural unity, 'monocultural' can be a descriptive term for pre-existing a descriptive term for pre-existing homogeneity.homogeneity.

The term multiculturalism is almost The term multiculturalism is almost always applied to distinct cultures of always applied to distinct cultures of immigrantimmigrant groups in developed groups in developed countries, not to the presence of countries, not to the presence of indigenous peoplesindigenous peoples. .

SupportersSupporters

Its supporters often see it as a self-Its supporters often see it as a self-evident entitlement of cultural evident entitlement of cultural groups, as a form of groups, as a form of civil rightscivil rights grounded in equality of cultures. grounded in equality of cultures. They often assume it will lead to They often assume it will lead to interculturalism - beneficial cultural interculturalism - beneficial cultural exchanges, where cultures learn exchanges, where cultures learn about each other's literature, art and about each other's literature, art and philosophy (high culture), and philosophy (high culture), and influence each other's music, fashion influence each other's music, fashion and cuisine. and cuisine.

OpponentsOpponents

Its opponents often see it as Its opponents often see it as something which has been imposed something which has been imposed on them without their consent. They on them without their consent. They fear it will lead to cultural ghettos, fear it will lead to cultural ghettos, undermining national unity. In undermining national unity. In Europe especially, opponents see Europe especially, opponents see multiculturalism as a direct assault multiculturalism as a direct assault on the national identity, and on the on the national identity, and on the nation itself, and sometimes as a nation itself, and sometimes as a conspiracy to Islamise Europe. conspiracy to Islamise Europe.

Simulation & Virtual RealitiesSimulation & Virtual Realities

A A simulationsimulation is an imitation of some is an imitation of some real thing, state of affairs, or process. real thing, state of affairs, or process.

Simulation is used in many contexts, Simulation is used in many contexts, including the modeling of natural including the modeling of natural systems or human systems in order systems or human systems in order to gain insight into their functioning. to gain insight into their functioning.

Physical simulationPhysical simulation refers to refers to simulation in which physical objects simulation in which physical objects are substituted for the real thing. are substituted for the real thing. These physical objects are often These physical objects are often chosen because they are smaller or chosen because they are smaller or cheaper than the actual object or cheaper than the actual object or system.system.

Interactive simulationInteractive simulation is a special is a special kind of physical simulation, often kind of physical simulation, often referred to as a referred to as a human in the loophuman in the loop simulation, in which physical simulation, in which physical simulations include human operators, simulations include human operators, such as in a flight simulator.such as in a flight simulator.

"live" simulation (where real people use "live" simulation (where real people use simulated (or "dummy") equipment in the simulated (or "dummy") equipment in the real world); real world);

"virtual" simulation (where real people use "virtual" simulation (where real people use simulated equipment in a simulated world simulated equipment in a simulated world (or "virtual environment")), or (or "virtual environment")), or

"constructive" simulation (where simulated "constructive" simulation (where simulated people use simulated equipment in a people use simulated equipment in a simulated environment). Constructive simulated environment). Constructive simulation is often referred to as simulation is often referred to as "wargaming" since it bears some "wargaming" since it bears some resemblance to table-top war games in resemblance to table-top war games in which players command armies of soldiers which players command armies of soldiers and equipment which move around a and equipment which move around a board. board.

Simulacra and SimulationSimulacra and Simulation

a copy of a copy which has been so a copy of a copy which has been so dissipated in its relation to the dissipated in its relation to the original that it can no longer be said original that it can no longer be said to be a copy. The to be a copy. The simulacrumsimulacrum, , therefore, stands on its own as a therefore, stands on its own as a copy without a model. copy without a model.

MissionMission