Re: Somewhat OT: What is Postmodernism?

On Apr 29, 7:34 pm, The CDesign Proponentist
<cdesign.proponent...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I often see Dembski and others being referred to as Postmodernists.
What does that mean, exactly? Would Dembski describe himself as a
Postmodernist? I've heard it equated to relativism, and specifically
where Science is concerned, the idea that Science is an arbitrarily-
chosen method for arriving at truth, and that all other methods are
equally reasonable.

One thing that I've noticed, while briefly looking this up, is that
there seem to be a lot of anti-Postmodernism books with either a
definite anti-Left bent or (less frequently) a definite anti-Right
bent. That is, it seems that either side can be rightly accused of
embracing Postmodernism, but individual books on the subject are
extremely one-sided, consentrating only on the transgressions of the
opposing side, making Postmodernism seem like an exclusively Leftist
problem or, in other cases, and exclusively Rightist problem.


Basically, Postmodernism is often used as perjorative term.
Postmodernism does not accept the idea of complete objectivity; ideas
and conclusions are as much shaped by social constructs as anything
else.

Hence, some of the more illustrious postmodernist claims are that
Newton's Principia is a manual for rape.

Note, that I do not disagree with postmodernism being used as a
perjorative term.
I don't see Dembski as postmodernist. I see him as an obstructionist.
But it
is clear he is letting social constructs (his religion) interfere with
his ability to use
reason objectively.


Does anyone have any better recommendations? I guess I'm more
interested in learning what it is, rather than what is wrong with it,
or right about it.

Well, google is your friend.

Stuart


.

Relevant Pages

  • Somewhat OT: What is Postmodernism?
    ... I often see Dembski and others being referred to as Postmodernists. ... definite anti-Left bent or a definite anti-Right ... making Postmodernism seem like an exclusively Leftist ... problem or, in other cases, and exclusively Rightist problem. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Mahler #6
    ... works 'What's Wrong with Postmodernism', ... you confuse social and human constructs. ... Ian claims not to go so far. ... > that they're only social constructs, and I quote: ...
    (rec.music.classical.recordings)