Postmodernism
Sources:
, in conversation with , offered insight from a critical standpoint on the influence and utility of postmodernism. He describes it as a set of philosophical ideas that acknowledge the malleability of ontologies we impose on the world but ultimately criticizes the movement for suggesting that truth is relative, as it leads to a form of ideological entrenchment rather than a productive epistemological framework. Bach contends that the conception of truth as relative has not substantially contributed to areas like physics, engineering, or sciences but has informed ideology, often used to dismiss opposing viewpoints rather than fostering openness to a pluralism of ideas. He emphasizes that if academia cannot defend against the ideological components of postmodernism, it risks becoming intellectually stunted and losing its essence 1.
Moreover, Bach explores the societal implications of postmodernism by contrasting a modern society, which is grounded in dealing with absolute truths, with a postmodern society that is more concerned with constructing appearances. He examines how such a postmodernist mode affects politics, turning it into a performance for an orchestrated audience composed of the media, which in turn evaluates itself through other media. This mechanism, he suggests, can have consequences for how societies face crises and challenges, potentially lacking effective responses and due consideration of the underlying truth 2.
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