Modernism Quote by Donald T. Williams
““Post-Modernism (n.): That period that comes between Modernism (q.v.) and Post-Post-Modernism. Modernists think that Science makes it possible for us to know everything perfectly and objectively, and that therefore all claims to know anything that can't be put into a test tube or under a microscope are illusory. Post-Modernists think that Modernism was wrong and that therefore we can't know anything at all. This is considered a great advance in human knowledge. Modernists think that anyone (except a Scientist) who makes a universal truth claim is a great fool; Post-Modernists think that anyone at all who makes a universal truth claim is a sly devil who is trying to gain power over you. Both are relativists, but while the Modernist is absolutely relative, the Post-Modernist is relatively more relative. The Post-Modernist also uses more jargon, like "metanarrative," "totalizing discourse," "sexual politics," and "hegemonic power structure," words which, when fully "deconstructed," all basically mean "My, look how devilishly clever and up to date I am!””
About This Quote
Post‑modernism critiques modernist certainty, arguing that all universal claims are power‑laden and that knowledge is always provisional.
In simple terms: All truths are contested; no claim is absolute.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions, stay open to multiple perspectives.
Themes
Philosophy
Epistemology
Relativism
Critique
Power
Mood
skeptical
analytical
critical
Type
Modernism:1
Science:1
Truth:1
Universal truth:0
Think Modernism:0
Modernists Think:0
Knowledge Modernists:0
Post Modernists:1
Modernism Wrong:0
When to use this quote
- Academic debate
- Media analysis
- Cultural criticism
- Political discourse
- Education curricula
Key Concepts
Postmodernism
Modernism
Science
Truth
Language
Power structures
Questions to Reflect On
- What truths do you accept and why?
- How does language shape power?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on relativism can lead to nihilism.
