Q&A: The Place of Postmodernism on the Kindness-Judgment Axis
The Place of Postmodernism on the Kindness-Judgment Axis
Question
In lesson 12 on mysticism, the Rabbi says that postmodernism is a reincarnation of communism and is associated with the left side of judgment and understanding—everything is rules.
In lesson 13, the Rabbi says that postmodernism is the Infinite Light, in which there are no rules or boundaries, and that it is pure kindness.
I would appreciate clarification regarding the place of postmodernism in these terms.
Thank you very much a0
Answer
Postmodernism begins with absolute adherence to logic and rules. But very quickly they discover that logic depends on foundational assumptions, and that there is not really any possibility of adhering to rules consistently (Wittgenstein), and so they give up on everything and move to a world without rules and without principles. This is a mistaken interpretation of the Infinite Light—not that it actually is the Infinite Light. The mistake is thinking that one can act without rules, and not understanding that rules are necessary, but that one must be careful not to cling to them in a formalistic and absolute way. A combination of kindness and judgment (beauty/harmony).