10 Chapter 10: Postmodernism
Postmodernism is also called postmodern constructivism, and according to Webb et. al. (2010), it has been defined as “a contemporary philosophy, ideology, movement, and process” (p. 87). The reason it has been defined in this way is that it pulls from a combination of philosophies, including: Pragmatism, Existentialism, Social Reconstructionism, and critical pedagogy (Webb et. al., 2010). Each of these philosophies provide essential elements of the framework for Postmodernism. Perhaps the most important of which is critical pedagogy, because it incorporates the technique of critical theory (Webb et. al., 2010).
This chapter will explore the impact of critical theory on postmodernism and the key characteristics of this philosophy. In addition, key information related to how this philosophy of education approaches the curriculum will be presented. An overview of the instructional methods used within this philosophy, along with a discussion about the role of the teacher and role of the learner will also be presented. Finally, key proponents of postmodernism and their contributions to this philosophy of education will be presented.
Characteristics of Postmodernism
10.1 Essential Questions
By the end of this section, the following Essential Questions will be answered:
- What combination of philosophies does Postmodernism represent?
- What are 3-4 of the key beliefs held by Postmodernist?
- What questions do critical theorists ask and why are they important?
- What are the five presuppositions inherent in the Postmodern worldview according to Hurd?
Postmodernism is considered to be one of the most contemporary philosophies of education. As previously stated, this philosophy represents a combination of the following philosophies: Pragmatism, Existentialism, Social Reconstructionism, and critical pedagogy (Webb et. al., 2010).
There are many key beliefs held by Postmodernists. One of the first is that there are no eternal universal truths and values (Webb et. al., 2010). Rather, they believe that reality is subjective or based on the interpretation of the person living it at the time. For this reason, Postmodernists would argue that individuals construct their own meaning from personal experience and that history is itself is a construction based on individual experience (Newman, 1998). That is why Giroux (2007) suggests that “democracy cannot work if citizens are not autonomous, self-judging, and independent – qualities that are indispensable for students if they are going to make vital judgments and choices about participating in and shaping decisions that affect everyday life, institutional reforms, and governmental policy” (p. 3). Based on this point of view, would you agree with Giroux’s assessment of what is necessary for democracy to work?
Second, Postmodernist question scientific realism. They do this by “refuting epistemological claims that science (in particular, the scientific method) is objective and unbiased” (We