--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: the postmodern critique is not aimed at…" description: "\"“the postmodern critique is not aimed at metanarratives because they are really grounded in narratives; on the contrary, the problem with metanarrative..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/james-k-a-smith-11405_modernism_the-postmodern-critique-is-not-aimed-at_598225.png" --- # the postmodern critique is not aimed at metanarratives… ![“the postmodern critique is not aimed at metanarratives because they are really grounded in narratives; on the contrary, the problem with metanarratives is that they do not own up to their own mythic ground.” quote by James K.A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/james-k-a-smith-11405_modernism_the-postmodern-critique-is-not-aimed-at_598225.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/james-k-a-smith-11405_modernism_the-postmodern-critique-is-not-aimed-at_598225.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63b/james-k-a-smith-11405_modernism_the-postmodern-critique-is-not-aimed-at_598225.png) > ““the postmodern critique is not aimed at metanarratives because they are really grounded in narratives; on the contrary, the problem with metanarratives is that they do not own up to their own mythic ground.”” [James K.A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-k-a-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Metanarratives claim universal truth but hide their own mythic foundations, making them vulnerable to critique. **In simple terms:** Big stories hide their own myths. Key Takeaway Question the assumptions behind grand narratives. Themes philosophy critique metanarratives Mood reflective critical Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - academic debate - media analysis - cultural criticism - teaching philosophy Key Concepts mythic foundations self‑reflexivity truth claims Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize hidden myths in your own worldview? - Can a narrative be both useful and uncritical? A Different Perspective Metanarratives can still inspire meaningful action despite their flaws. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aimed Metanarratives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aimed-metanarratives-4883711/) [Metanarratives Mythic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metanarratives-mythic-4883712/) [Metanarratives Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metanarratives-really-4883708/) [Modernism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modernism/) [Postmodern Critique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/postmodern-critique-4883709/) [Problem Metanarratives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-metanarratives-4883710/) ## Related quotes > [“The question of the relation between modernity and postmodernity revolves around the issue of 'legitimation.' Modernity, then, appeals to science to legitimate its claim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-k-a-smith/the-question-of-the-relation-between-modernity-and-postmodernity/) [James K.A. 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This is what was so bad about Modernism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-jacobs/the-notion-that-you-could-discard-the-old-world-and-now-make-a-new/) [Jane Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-jacobs/) [Browse all 350 Modernism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modernism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“the postmodern critique is not aimed at metanarratives because they are really grounded in narratives; on the contrary, the problem with metanarratives is that they do not own up to their own mythic ground.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James K.A. 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