Question

Explain the differences and similarities between City Beautiful, Modernism, Post-Modernism, and Post Post-modernism, cite examples and show examples. What period are we entering now?

Answer 1

Modernism and Postmodernism

According to some theorists, the 20th century can be divided into two distinct periods; one characterized by the modernism movement and the other by postmodernism. Some believe that postmodernism was a response to modernism and hence consider them as two aspects of the same movement.

Modernism describes a collection of cultural movements of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It consists of a series of reforming movements in art, architecture, literature, music and applied arts. Modernism was characterized by a dramatic change of thought, whereby human intellect sought to improve their environment. There was a trend of improving every aspect of life by involving science and technology into it. Modernism in all spheres of life including philosophy, commerce, art and literature, with the aid of technology and experimentation. It led to progress in all the aspects of life by changing the approach of mankind of looking at them. The beauty business has made fantastic progress above the modern many years. The advancement of lasers has created a big difference to the way remedies can be applied to clients. The cosmetic laser in particular brings massive positive aspects to many individuals.

Postmodernism means, 'after the modern'. It was a reaction to modernism and was influenced by the disenchantment brought about by the Second World War. Postmodernism refers to the state that lacks a central hierarchy and one that is complex, ambiguous and diverse. The developments in society, the economy and the culture of the 1960s were impacted by postmodernism.

Modernism Vs. Postmodernism

1. Modernism began in the 1890s and lasted till about 1945. Postmodernism began after the Second World War, especially after 1968.

2. Modernism was based on using rational, logical means to gain knowledge while postmodernism denied the application of logical thinking.

3. Rather, the thinking during the postmodern era was based on unscientific, irrational thought process, as a reaction to modernism.

4. A hierarchical and organized and determinate nature of knowledge characterized modernism. But postmodernism was based on an anarchical, non-totalized and indeterminate state of knowledge.

5. Modernist approach was objective, theoretical and analytical while the postmodernism approach was based on subjectivity. It lacked the analytical nature and thoughts were rhetorical and completely based on belief.

6. The fundamental difference between modernism and postmodernism is that modernist thinking is about the search of an abstract truth of life while postmodernist thinkers believe that there is no universal truth, abstract or otherwise.

7. Modernism attempts to construct a coherent world-view whereas postmodernism attempts to remove the difference between high and low.

8. Modernist thinking asserts that mankind progresses by using science and reason while postmodernist thinking believes that progress is the only way to justify the European domination on culture.

9. Modernist thinking believes in learning from past experiences and trusts the texts that narrate the past. On the other hand postmodernist thinking defies any truth in the text narrating the past and renders it of no use in the present times.

10. Modernism considers the original works as authentic while postmodernist thinkers base their views on hyper-reality they get highly influenced by things propagated through media.

Examples

1. Theory of knowledge is mainly conditioned by man and for this reason he or she contributes to the creation of his own existence

2. Epistemology (acquiring knowledge and its connection to reality)

3. Reality as something perceived by people. No facts - just interpretation of facts.

Post-Postmodernism

Post-Postmodernism rejects Postmodernism stating that the views and themes during that era stem from a victim mentality which tends to induce a agnostic-like skepticism in the overall scheme of things.