Postmodernism and Truth

Catalog description

In an era when such phrases as ‘alternative facts,’ ‘fake news,’ and ‘disdain for science,’ have become idiomatic, what is the status of truth and knowledge? Has the “modern” conception of truth, as something absolute and universal, become passe? Has postmodern philosophy, which seems to regard truth as contingent upon historical and social context, played a role in bringing about a new conception of truth? This course we will explore these questions first by reading more traditional accounts of truth and knowledge. Students will then explore the alternatives posited by postmodern writers, including Michel Foucault and Richard Rorty, and discern the basis of their philosophical differences with modern conceptions. Students will debate whether these alternatives are defensible, and whether they represent the kind of alternative that could be the basis for alleged new conceptions of truth and knowledge. Students will also consult recent work on the cultural ramifications of postmodern philosophy and examine its impact on the larger moral and political landscape.