Jean-François Lyotard, Postmodern Condition [The Postmodern Condition]

Michael Mahin (Claremont Graduate University)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.5.2.07: French Writing and Culture: Postwar and Contemporary, 1945-present.
Vol. editors: Kate Averis (University of Western Australia), Hugo Azerad (University of Cambridge), Patrick ffrench (King's College London), Edward Forman (University of Bristol), Akane Kawakami (Birkbeck, University of London), Siobhán McIlvanney (King's College London), Sinan Richards (King's College London), Tim Unwin (University of Bristol), David Williams (University of Sheffield)

Domains

Philosophy (any)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1979

Places

France (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Treatise

Resources

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is an epistemological exploration into the politics of late-capitalism. By insisting on the paradigmatic nature of knowledge based on the fundamental function of the “language game,” Lyotard insists on the inadequacy of a political system which sees performativity as an end in itself, failing to recognize, both intellectually and economically, those “paralogical” pursuits which are necessary to the health of society as a whole.

Lyotard begins with an investigation into the

status

of knowledge. His hypothesis is that the status of knowledge is altered as societies enter the postindustrial age, and as cultures enter what is known as the postmodern age. With this evolution, knowledge ceases to be an end in-itself in the sense of

Bildung

, or the training of minds, and assumes, “the…

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1539 words

Citation: Mahin, Michael. "Postmodern Condition". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 10 October 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=20281, accessed 25 November 2024.]