Q&A: Questions about Postmodernism
Questions about Postmodernism
Question
Hello Rabbi Abraham,
Sorry to bother you on the eve of the holiday, but I have some questions.
Rabbi Shagar speaks in his book "Tablets and Broken Tablets" about "hard" and "soft" postmodernism—two types, where the first negates everything, while "the second does not deny the existence of truth and the good" (page 17 of the book).
1. Where does this distinction come from? Is it a recognized one, or is it his own invention?
2. Why would the "soft" postmodernists "give in" to him and make life easier for him by leaving some issues accepted, for example—the existence of God?
Is there such a school of postmodernism, people who began their revolution but left God outside the discussion?
Thanks in advance, and happy holiday,
Answer
Hello A., in postmodernism there is everything. Since it is a matter of word games without any content—anything goes. Just don't look there for any content or meaning, and certainly not consistency.
If you're interested, see my comments on postmodernism here, at an evening held to mark the publication of Rabbi Shagar's book, Tablets and Broken Tablets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEhGAutVypI
And also my review of the earlier version that came out during his lifetime (Broken Vessels):
https://mikyab.net/%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%A1%D7%A7%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%A1%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%9D-%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%9B%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A9%D7%91%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/
Happy holiday,