Postmodernism and Critical Theory

Question 1

postmodernism

Answer 1

derived from the study of literature
postpositivist (normative, qualitative, underlying factors, no objective reality, subjective, there are multiple perspectives of reality)
critique, not theory (just points out how things are wrong. don’t tell you how to fix things)
Social reality is created through discourse
Meaning is imposed on the individual (the meaning you have been told is something that you don’t have the any control over)
reveals embedded power structures
skeptical of all meta-narratives
unpack mega narrative

Question 2

critical theory

Answer 2

derived from Neo- or western Marxist analysis
postpositivist
critique/advocacy, not theory (does have a vision in mind)
Social reality created through discourse (relational constructivism)
meaning is imposed on the individual
reveals embedded power structures
embraces enlightenment ideals (if we reveal power structures, we can better use our reason to live better lives)
achieve universal emancipation

Question 3

postmodernism: seducing humanity

Answer 3

democratic peace theory: countries that are democratic are very unlikely to attack other democracies. there is a meaningful differences between democracies and non democracies
legitimizes conflict between the two
framing sustains its own sense of ethical superiority
claims liberal principles are universal, humanity lies in commitment to democratic values

Question 4

seducing in the context of postmodernism

Answer 4

there’s no signal definition that points to whether its right or wrong
taking the meaning out of the words
rejecting power’s influence
there’s no objective truth but multiple truths attempt to justify themselves

Question 5

discourses of humanity in postmodernism

Answer 5

2002 state of the union
makes a case for humanity by asserting strength and self-assigned righteousness
kindness, generosity
in order to do those things, we have to murder people
single word that is being used in two different ways
white washing the negative things that the US is responsible for
if murder is for humanity, then stealing is for justice
US humanity is something that cannot be questioned (us v them)

Question 6

critical theory: legitimacy of war

Answer 6

Immanent critique

• reveals how principles and values of a culture are denied and related by social structures
• limits criticism to the analysis or of norms already widely accepted

deliberative democracy/discursive ethics
- promotes open and inclusive “truth seeking” discussions where participants make claims and challenge the validity of others’ ideas
- requires participants to confront power and hypocrisy in order to build consensus
- suggests people employ a shared “language of reason” rather than a selfish “language of interest”
limits criticism to the analysis of norms already widely accepted

we are smart enough to parse through good and bad ideas

incompletely theorized agreements

Question 7

Critical theorists

Answer 7

Critical theorists are explicitly normative (i.e. advocating for a specific outcome), and generally reject violence and force as illegitimate means of settling disputes

They seek to explain inconsistencies and encourage pressures to change public consciousness and make alternative outcomes possible

Question 8

seduction***

Question 9

discursive ethics***

Question 10

imminent critique***