Metanarratives Works in Postmodernism - Essay Example

Postmodernism of Metanarratives WorkThe postmodern condition of Metanarratives work is most attributed to Jean-Francois Lyotard as the pioneer of post modernism. He and other postmodern philosophical believers challenge the broader concept of Metanarratives indicating that Metanarratives emphasize larger “truths” or try to push the “universal ideas” (Lyotard and Geoffrey 45). A summary of a number of points from his work and an emphasis on the postmodern condition will prove essential to understanding the trouble behind Metanarratives according to Lyotard.

Among the Metanarratives, Lyotard critiques refer to reductionism as well as the teleological knowledge of human history. These aspects include universally held believes by persons. Examples of teleological notions regarding people include those relating to enlightenment as well as Marxism (Lyotard and Geoffrey 123). To Lyotard these concepts have become untenable pertaining to the fact that goal of truth that science aims to achieve has now been replaced by “performativity.” Other aspects include paradoxical results produced by science like the chaos theory that undermine grand narrative of science.

Lyotard cites structuralist readings of Marx and Freud that were developed long ago. He quotes Italians as drawing upon traditional aesthetics as well as rhetoric that include Giambattista Vico figures. He attributes these concepts as emphasizing on historical notions, exhibiting no fascination with regard to a revolutionary moment. The troubling aspects with Metanarratives they possess large-scale theories as philosophies of the word that include, histories progress, absolute freedom possibility as well as ability to know everything through science (Lyotard and Geoffrey 224).

His argument is right in that such concepts fail to represent and contain all human beings. He argues that every individual possesses own understanding guided by believes and aspirations. Therefore, the researcher concurs with Lyotard.An example of a Metanarrative not linked with Lyotard’s work refers to the believe in societies of the existence of ogres. Societies believe superhuman beings existed that had extra ordinary characteristics compared to the people. The concept was just based on a universal platform so as to control societies but with no facts.

Work CitedLyotard, Jean, and Geoffrey Bennington. The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. Minneapolis: U of Minnesota, 2010. Print.