Post-Modernism

According to Jean-Francois Lyotard, Post-Modernism advanced the use of knowledge in order to advance the states. Knowledge was used as a way “to produce the administrative and professional skills necessary for the stability of the state.” So in a sense Post-Modernism did not promote free thought but instead promoted the idea of free thought that was to become one unifying thought to promote legislatures. So it now becomes a contradiction in itself as “legislators will- the desire that the laws be just- will coincide with the will of the citizen, who desires the law and will therefore obey it.” (Lyotard) So now we see control in the form of knowledge, as we feel we have the proper knowledge about the things we vote about, speak out about, and feel for in terms of controversial issues. Suddenly we find “control in the chaos” as we unify in the same thought. As stated in the article “Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed” by Mary Klages, “Modernity is fundamentally about order: about rationality and rationalization, creating order out of chaos.” The article states a similar view when it comes to post-modernism, stating that in creating more stability within the people of the post-modern era, the better it functions. And this is not just seen in education and politics; this is seen in everything from music, to art, to everything in general that is entertaining. One thought means less chaos in free time, meaning better productivity in consumerism, meaning better health in the economy.

Works Cited

“Klages, Mary.” Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed Web. 2007. 16 May 2010

Lyotard, Jean-Francois. “The Postmodern Condition.” Literary Theory: An Anthology. Ed. Rivkin, Julie and Ryan, Maichael. Victoria, Aus.: Blackwell Publishing, 1998. 355-364. Print.