Let a J. F. Lyotard — a unique modern theorist

Author: Qin Xiqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: Lyotard's postmodern theory expresses the hesitation and despair of Western intellectuals. Facing the challenge of social reality to theory, they no longer trust the power of active critique but seek to find possibilities for breaking free from capital constraints within negative, passive deconstructive thinking. Although postmodernism initiates a rethinking of the modernity tradition constituted by reason and enlightenment, and reconsiders the direction of human civilization's development, it attempts to exclude comprehensive social ideals by arguing the illusory nature of totality and maintaining the ambiguity of "language," reflecting on one side the intellectual dilemma of the developed capitalist period.