Concepts in Postmodernism
Unit 1 Discontinuity 1. Epistemological Discontinuity: Postmodernism challenges the idea of a stable, objective reality and instead emphasizes the fragmented and contingent nature of knowledge. This means that there is no single, overarching truth, but rather multiple, often conflicting truths that are context-dependent and socially constructed. 2. Historical Discontinuity: Postmodernism rejects the notion of a linear, progressive history and instead sees history as a series of discontinuous events, ruptures, and discontinuities. This perspective challenges traditional narratives of progress and development, highlighting the arbitrary nature of historical periodization and the importance of recognizing the diversity of historical experiences. 3. Cultural Discontinuity: Postmodernism celebrates the diversity and heterogeneity of cultures, rejecting the idea of a unified, homogeneous culture. Instead, it emphasizes the hybridity, plurality, and intertextuality of cultur...