Introduction
Each era of the development of society determines its conceptual foundations for development, defines knowledge and sets a paradigm. Jean-François Lyotard’s The Postmodern Condition highlights the issues of knowledge, its state, and models of legitimation in the postmodern era, as well as various types of language games and their pragmatics. The author explores how social connection can be legitimized in our time, what happens to the idea of a just society, and whether the effectiveness and efficiency of the system can be the goal of knowledge and development of society. The essence of postmodernity is understood as an awareness of the diversity and pluralism of forms of rationality, the activity of life, and the recognition of this diversity as a natural and positive state. The work is important for understanding the essence of social change. The author, however, gives a lot of reflections on the topic but does not seek to develop a clear theory or opinion.
Interpretation of the Work by the Author
The Postmodern Condition is Lyotard’s philosophical reflection on the subject of changes in society. Under postmodernism, the author represents the state of modernity – the general direction of modern European culture (Lyotard 3). First, the author focuses on the fact that previously established concepts can no longer be relevant due to rapid technological progress. At the beginning of the report, he warns of his status: he is not an expert who concludes and knows what he knows and not; he is a philosopher who does not know the limits of his knowledge and asks questions (Lyotard 9). The author does not call on the audience to reconsider the concepts and the state of knowledge, which he defines as ‘postmodern,’ but reflects on changing the paradigm of knowledge in society. It is impossible not to agree with the author’s opinion that changes in society inevitably entail changes in established concepts.
Text Features
Throughout the work, the author constantly uses indefinite constructions that prompt the reader to think. One can find similar constructions in text: “We may thus expect; or rhetorical questions: Who will have access to them? The State?” (Lyotard 4, 6). Lyotard notes numerous manifestations of postmodernity, expressed by the weakening or collapse of traditional values (labor, knowledge, virtue, life purpose). The philosopher says that postmodernity is not something new but only new offshoots from modernity. There seems to be some contradiction here since earlier; the author emphasized the ‘collapse of the traditional.’ He emphasizes the presence of hidden dissatisfaction, forced movement, the cult of the game, and the constant desire to maintain control over the situation (Lyotard 10). The author constantly describes different aspects of the concepts he discusses. Often paragraphs begin with a short conversion sentence that allows the author’s thought to be further developed in a different direction from what was previously discussed: But these truisms are fallacious; The parallel may appear forced (Lyotard 7, 8). It means that he reflects on possible interpretations and changes but does not give a clear opinion on the topic.
Conclusion
In Lyotard’s report, two language games of a philosopher and an expert were mixed up, neither of which was brought to a successful end. The author does not seek to convince the audience of anything. He reflects on the pressing issues in the concept of knowledge. Using various rhetorical means, Lyotard builds his text similar to philosophical reflections. The structure of the text can only trace the emotional devices inherent in the author: this is a reflection written in simple, colloquial language, more like the author’s desire to ask questions than to find answers. The work’s pathos is rather difficult to explain since Lyotard does not seek to argue his statements to prove their authenticity. At the same time, the logos of the text is easy to trace since the narration goes one after another: this or that opinion raises new questions and reflections. The analyzed work is of value for the philosophy of knowledge and allows one to reflect on this concept without being final.
Work Cited
Lyotard Jean-François. The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. University of Minnesota Press, 2010.