Postmodern Theory Research Articles

Reading Manna and Quail in the Exodus: A Reader Response Criticism Perspective

Reader Response Criticism is a postmodernist interpretation approach. The spirit of postmodernism greatly influences the interpretive activities carried out by this method. The philosophy of postmodernism is apparent in the characteristics of reader response criticism. The author explains how the Reader Response Criticism approach works in this study. In the research framework, the author uses the literature study method to obtain research data and the biblical hermeneutic method to find news from the Bible. From this research, it can be concluded that Reader Response Criticism considers that manna comes from several proposals, both animals and plants, which tells that the event did not happen miraculously but something normal based on the availability of manna in the area, as well as the quails they came usually because of fatigue so that no visible action of God in the event. But biblically speaking, both of these events were God working miraculously to do His providence for the Israelites who had been freed from slavery and had to pass through the wilderness for 40 years, and God provided food for them.

Mulighedens uendelighed – uendelighedens mulighed

The article investigates the possibilities and limitations of a religious Christian hope from a postmodern perspective. It argues that Søren Kierkegaard’s Christian understanding of hope as ambiguous, despiteful, and ethical is in alignment with Gianni Vattimo’s postmodern theory of kenosis as the essence of secularity. The argument proceeds in three steps. The first section outlines the challenge and the potential of the postmodern. The second section analyzes Kierkegaard’s understanding of hope. The third section sketches how Vattimo’s postmodern theory contrasts the pragmatic, scientific, and nihilistic hopes of today and aligns with Kierkegaard’s understanding of hope.

BECI System of Business English Reading and Writing

Purpose: This study puts forward the BECI system under the background of Chinese new liberal arts construction and the guidance of postmodern philosophy and the blended teaching mode in order to sustainably improve students’ Business English Reading and Writing ability and cultivate Business English compound talents who meet the market demand. Theoretical framework: The research makes use of post-modern philosophy and blended teaching mode to explore the BECI system. Design/ methodology/ approach: The BECI system teaching mode integrates traditional teaching and digital teaching, and uses information technology, online and offline, multi-modal teaching and process assessment mechanism to comprehensively improve students’ participation and subjective learning status, and cultivate their good study habits. Findings: BECI system is market-demand-oriented, student-centered and teacher-scaffolded, which includes business knowledge, English knowledge, cross-cultural knowledge and ideological and political knowledge, and advocates the mutual promotion of Business English Reading (input) and Business English Writing (output). Research, Practice & Social Implications: The research not solely solves some problems, such as complicated teaching content and low learning efficiency of students, Business English Reading and Writing facing with, but also endows learners with the sustainable Business English Reading and Writing ability and good study habits.

Postmodern organizational theory: empirical substantiation and practical application

The sports industry today is not only an important component of the socio7cultural life of the population, but also an open platform for the development of entrepreneurial projects in sports. Entrepreneurial activity in the sports industry includes the development of new ideas, the implementation of business plans and the search for investors to introduce new directions. Currently, the requirements of the markets for goods and services to enter them are quite high, there is high competition for consumer attention and a fairly short time for the launch of new products and services. Therefore, when implementing a new project in a shortened timeframe, entrepreneurs, including in the sports industry, face a difficult task: to take into account the existing critical factors when developing a new direction and reduce the risks during the implementation of the project. In this regard, managerial decision–making skills and the ability to calculate their consequences come to the fore.

Процессы цифровизации в искусстве и творчестве: диалектика взаимосвязи

The article examines the peculiarities of the processes of digitalization in contemporary art and their influence on the artist, the comprehension of virtual space in the philosophy of postmodernism. In the article the specificity of digital art is discussed, and the extent of justifiability of the predictions of the development of virtual reality in art is determined. In the philosophy of postmodernism, the processes of virtualization have been evaluated ambivalently. The virtual dimension does not always stand against reality. Art presents a sphere of a productive interaction between the real and the virtual. The virtual world created by art contains within itself the possibility of transferal into actual reality. On the one hand, the contemporary processes of digitalization in art enhance the tendencies of degradation of the cyber culture, the possibility of replacement of the artist with the programmer. On the other hand, they erase the boundary between the real and the virtual worlds. The space generated by the computer opens up new strata of the multifaceted world, other dimensions of the already familiar existence. The means of computer technologies generate diversity in the aesthetic perception of art. But for actualization of the virtual space as a transformed reality a creator is required. The preservation of the self-sufficient presence of the artist in digital technologies of art would be possible with the aid of the dialectic character of their interaction.

KAIKEYI: BEYOND MYTH AND MODERNITY IN AMISH TRIPATHI'S RAMCHANDRA SERIES

The present research paper focuses on one of the most controversial figures in Hindu mythology: Kaikeyi. Traditionally depicted as a naïve and notorious mother in Indian folklore, this study re-examines her character through a postmodern lens, aiming to establish her as a truly powerful woman. Kaikeyi emerges as an unconquerable and dignified figure of her time. One key concept in postmodernism is the idea of the metanarrative. Metanarratives offer a fascinating lens for literary analysis. Rooted in postmodern philosophy, this concept challenges definitive absolutes—such as Truth—suggesting they are either highly elusive or non-existent. Consequently, postmodernism it resists clear definitions, embracing ambiguity and complexity. This paper attempts to re-envision the myth of Kaikeyi through the lens of Amish Tripathi’s Ram Chandra Series. By doing so, it sheds new light on her character, presenting Kaikeyi not as a villain but as a figure of immense strength and dignity. This reinterpretation challenges traditional narratives and offers a fresh perspective on her role in Hindu mythology.

A Discussion of Postmodern Issues Based on Dewey’s Ethics: The Example of Female Moral Education

The focus on female moral education issues allows us to reexamine the contributions of John Dewey, an American educational philosopher. Dewey’s ethics are built upon a rebellion against the universalism and rationalism that were predominant in the traditional ethics based on intrinsic manifestation and external rules. This ethical approach is primarily characterized by Dewey’s pursuit of a democratic society, as well as the emphasis he places on emotional and moral imagination. Dewey’s ethics can be seen as a means to address postmodern problems, integrating the traditional emphasis on “knowledge” with the postmodern focus on “discourse,” based on experience. However, it is worth contemplating whether this solution is effective or if it overly magnifies the power of “understanding” in its ethical system. In the dialogue with postmodern theory, perhaps what is more crucial for the myriad of postmodern issues, exemplified by female morality, is inclusion rather than understanding, as well as questioning knowledge and reconstructing its elements.

Intercultural communication and modern challenges of global education

Today, development is recognized as more intricate than in the past. Scholars and practitioners observe a shift in the development landscape since the turn of the millennium, emphasizing culture’s increasing role in social life. In postmodern theory, culture asserts a predominant position among other societal spheres. A balanced view positions culture as a vital component of everyday experience, marking a transition from a scarcity-driven society where economic necessity confines human behavior to a world where individual choice is expanded by the growing influence of the human factor over external conditions. This perspective does not narrowly define culture solely as high art or achievement of cultural standards seen in official discourse, but rather embraces its broad spectrum of manifestations across public life, representing the future direction of cultural policy.

Americanization of French Theory and the Rise of “Chinese Postism”

Chinese Postism refers to Chinese versions of poststructuralism, postmodernism and postcolonialism, three major western theoretical trends prefixed with “post.” Chinese Postism is largely retranslations of English translations (and interpretations) of French theories of poststructuralism and postmodernism, as well as postcolonialism as American appropriation of French theories. Revisiting the French- American-Chinese journey of theory may help uncover the broader political and ideological changes underlying the intellectual and academic trends.

An intertextual exploration of apocalyptic and afterlife hell imagery in The ThirteenthSun

This study conducts an intertextual analysis of apocalyptic and afterlife hell imagery in the novel The Thirteenth Sun, focusing on two specific subtropics. The first subtopic focuses on analyzing the images and themes of the apocalyptic in the novel and its poetic epigraph through close reading and textual analysis of both texts. The second subtopic focuses on a close reading and interpretation of the images and themes of an afterlife hell in both The Thirteenth Sun and Dante's The Divine Comedy. Using a postmodern literary theory, namely intertextuality, this study analyzes the intertexts between the novel and the epigraph, as well as the intertextual relationship between The Thirteenth Sun and The Divine Comedy. The detailed textual analysis reveals that both the poetic epigraph and the novel not only employ dystopian themes and imagery of the apocalyptic and the afterlife hell but also engage in a profound dialogue with The Divine Comedy and Christian eschatological traditions. By juxtaposing these intertextual elements, the study illuminates how The Thirteenth Sun reinterprets and transforms apocalyptic and afterlife motifs, contributing to a richer understanding of the genre and its thematic evolution.

A social work contribution in end-of-life care: incorporating critical spirituality.

This article outlines how a framework for critical spirituality incorporated into a social work perspective, can contribute to work in end-of-life care. This is based on my experience of working in interdisciplinary teams, including pastoral care workers or chaplains, nurses, doctors, a range of carers and other allied health professionals. Traditionally, social workers have focused on the holistic well-being of the dying person and their families but tended not to actively include the spiritual. However, there is increased recognition in social work of the value of integrating critical spirituality: understanding the person's own sense of meaning and the social assumptions that might influence how this can be expressed. This might mean working with individuals and families on understanding how societal expectations of the dying process are undermining the person's desire to die in a particular way. To do this, workers must themselves recognise their own internalised societal assumptions and be willing to challenge these. The article explores the potential value of how such a social work approach can integrate critical, postmodern, green and relational theories as well as indigenous worldviews with key qualities of practice such as humility, deep listening and waiting, and the ability to be critically reflective. Key ideas are used to help focus practice and the inclusion of critical spirituality. These include (1) exploring the influence of the person's history and social context; (2) the value of particular relationships and networks, including community and environmental connections and activities and processes that are an intrinsic aspect of the person's well-being; (3) challenging workers to be critically and reflectively aware of their own assumptions and values to ensure the dying person can truly express their preferences related to death and dying. Examples from my experience are used to illuminate how such perspectives can be actively included in practice across professional boundaries to shift perceptions of 'how things are done here' to what can be more life enhancing for those in palliative care.

A Philosophical Theologian’s Review Essay on Judith Butler’s Who’s Afraid of Gender?

Judith Butler’s work relates directly to science and religion concerns. Scientific questions regarding the nature of male and female sex, and the relation of biological sex to Butler’s conception of gender are important concerns in her work. Butler also has an abiding disdain for traditional Christian anthropology with its binary heteronormative sexual ethics. Conservative Christian religion is thus seen by Butler as a moral and political enemy of progressive humanity and reason. For these two reasons, as well as the fact that Butler has had an enormous impact on contemporary culture and law through her gender studies work, it is important that Christians who are interested in science and in the cultural and political currents of our times, understand her work. People who do not usually read postmodern gender theory will find the terrain demanding. Indeed, Butler’s writing is difficult even for professional philosophers to decipher. However, her 2024 book—Who’s Afraid of Gender—is remarkably accessible. Considering the importance to science, religion, and contemporary culture that these matters are, and considering that this is an unusually accessible text by Butler, I here offer a philosophically engaged and theologically critical review essay of Butler’s latest book.

The nomadic principle in the novel “Flights” by Olga Tokarczuk

The article deals with the novel “Flights” by Olga Tokarczuk, Polish writer, awarded the 2018 Nobel Prize in Literature, in the context of nomadological theory of postmodernism. The article’s theoretical basis draws from poststructuralist studies by J. Deleuze and F. Guattari. Their work proposes a new approach to the concept of modern human existence, introducing the concepts of “nomad” and “rhizome”. The analysis of Tokarchuk’s novel “Flights” reveals its nomadological basis, which is determined by the compositional principles of decentralisation, dynamism, and variation of the artistic form and content of the text. The conceptual foundations of both the novel “Flights” and Tokarczuk’s entire literary work are set out in her book “Czuły narrator”, in which she argues for the introduction of a new type of narrator into prose – the fourth-person narrator, who is able to incorporate the point of view of each character, to see more and further, and to exist outside of time. The “Flights” contains allusions to Russian culture, specifically to the worldview of the “runners” (beguny) (or “wanderers”), Old Believers who believed that movement was the only way to salvation. The existential status of the novel’s characters is determined by the fluid nature of personality and explained by the narrator’s statement of the instability of human identity. The artistic specificity of not only the analysed novel but also of Tokarchuk’s entire oeuvre is determined by themes such as migration, escape from traditions and stereotypes, the psychological and social aspects of the nomadic way of life.

Unravelling Deconstruction: A Comprehensive Examination of its Qualitative Research Method and Application in Historical Texts

This research endeavors to delve into the qualitative research method of deconstruction and its profound application in deciphering the nuanced meanings within historical texts. Utilizing a review methodology, this study takes the form of a comprehensive review article. Deconstruction, as both a theory and practical approach to text reading, challenges the prevailing notion that language systems inherently establish coherence or unity in literary texts, aiming to uncover definitive meanings. The primary objective of deconstruction is to express concepts qualitatively and analytically. Research questions are tailored to the type of text under consideration, guided by the researcher's decisions. For instance, the groundbreaking concept of "explanatory and inquiry" emerged in the literary domain, maintaining its relevance within academic institutions and expanding to encompass various conceptual frameworks. Deconstruction extends its reach into social thinking and speeches, involving critical re-examination of historical texts to glean insights into historical facts. Essentially akin to metaphysical criticism, the deconstruction method was founded by Jacques Derrida, an Algerian philosopher of French origin, whose theories significantly influenced postmodern philosophy and literary criticism.

Don Cupitt: theological pioneer?

This final article in a three-part series exploring the contemporary significance of the theologian and philosopher of religion Don Cupitt examines the extent to which he might be considered a ‘theological pioneer’. There are three possible areas of innovation: Cupitt’s work on non-realism, his adoption of postmodern philosophy and his advocacy of a religion of everyday speech. In each of these, Cupitt carried out ground-breaking work, but it is less clear whether his ideas have exercised a significant and lasting influence. While the Sea of Faith television series (1984) generated a substantial popular following, his work has not been widely adopted or developed by successive generations of theologians or scholars of religion.

Postmodern Interpretation of the Rise of Populism in Italy in the Context of the Offensive Against Liberal Democracy

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the rise of populism in Italy against the background of the crisis of liberal democracy. The aim of the work is to determine the influence of postmodern phenomena described by such scientists as J.F. Lyotard, J. Der Derian and J. Baudrillard, on the rise of populist parties and movements in Italy. The object of the study was the phenomena of the postmodern world. The subject of the work is their influence on the rise of populism and disillusionment with liberal democracy in Italy. Special attention is paid to the new challenges of the 2020s for Europe and especially for Italy, where populists have achieved particular success. Against the background of these challenges, the phenomena characteristic of the postmodern era made Europeans doubt the liberal democratic paradigm, which led to the strengthening of right-wing radicals and populists. The novelty of the study is directly highlighting the connection between the rise of populism in Europe and the crack of the liberal democratic paradigm against the background of the migration crisis, the coronavirus pandemic and the deterioration of relations with Russia due to the situation with Ukraine through the prism of the works of postmodern philosophers. In the course of the study, the author came to the conclusion that the postmodern processes of the modern world, such as the collapse of meta-narratives, global surveillance, the creation of myths, images and simulacra, are not correlated with the traditional representation of liberal democracy. Against the background of new challenges and threats, it discredits itself, which gives rise to the spread of populists who skillfully take advantage of the situation that has arisen. According to the results of the content analysis, it was confirmed that the opinion of populists depends on the current agenda. It has been hypothesized that the image of liberal democracy imposed by Europe does not correspond to the image of liberal democracy in the eyes of ordinary Italians, so they see the salvation of their roots and identity in populists.

Navigating Discontent: Postmodern Interpretations of Steinbeck's The Winter of Our Discontent

Navigating Discontent: Postmodern Interpretations of Steinbeck's 'The Winter of Our Discontent'“ presents a comprehensive examination of John Steinbeck's classic novel through the lens of postmodern theory. This paper delves into the multifaceted layers of discontent depicted in the novel and explores how postmodern perspectives shed new light on its themes, characters, and narrative structure. This study examines the fluidity of meaning and the disintegration of identity within the text, drawing on many postmodern frameworks, including deconstruction, poststructuralism, and metafiction. It investigates how Steinbeck's portrayal of disillusionment, moral decay, and economic struggles resonates with postmodern critiques of societal constructs and power dynamics. Furthermore, this paper examines the role of language, narrative techniques, and intertextuality in shaping the reader's experience of discontent in the novel. By engaging with postmodern concepts of simulation, hyperreality, and the absence of stable truths, it explores the ways in which Steinbeck challenges traditional modes of storytelling and invites readers to navigate through a complex landscape of uncertainty and ambiguity. Through this postmodern interpretation, “Navigating Discontent” seeks to illuminate the enduring relevance of Steinbeck's work in contemporary discourse and invites readers to reconsider the novel's themes in the context of postmodern thought.

SOLVING THE UKRAINIAN DEMOGRAPHIC DISASTER: A POSTMODERN PERSPECTIVE

This paper explores the demographic crisis in Ukraine through the innovative lens of postmodern theory. Departing from traditional approaches, the authors argue that solving the country's pressing issues of low birth rates and high mortality, especially among the elderly, requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary strategy grounded in postmodern principles. The analysis first situates Ukraine's demographic woes within the broader global context of climate change, socioeconomic inequality, mass migration, and technological disruption - factors that heighten the complexity of the challenge. It then delves into the specific demographic data, examining not only the statistical trends, but also the sociocultural shifts impacting family formation and reproductive behaviors. Drawing on postmodern concepts of complexity, diversity, anti-universalism, and emphasis on inclusion, the paper proposes a multi-faceted set of solutions. These range from promoting individual expression and creativity, to developing targeted policies supporting young families, revamping migration frameworks, combating discrimination, and even exploring the potential of reproductive technologies. Importantly, the authors frame these interventions within the context of a new national idea centered on preserving and strengthening Ukrainian identity. Ultimately, this study represents a bold, unconventional approach to the demographic crisis, challenging conventional demographic theories and offering a fresh, contextual perspective rooted in postmodern thought. Its findings hold significant implications for policymakers, academics, and civil society stakeholders seeking innovative pathways to address Ukraine's pressing demographic challenges.

Femininity vs Masculinity: Re-Defining (Gender) Roles in Alobwed’ Epie’s The Lady with a Beard

Gender bias has remained a pervasive problem worldwide, till this era. In line with the recent “UNDP Gender Inequality Index” which ranks Cameroon 141st among a total of 162 classified world countries, Cameroon is determined a heavily patriarchal society. Developing gender as a social construction rather than a biological attribute is a powerful achievement that determines roles being awarded accordingly and not based on genetic traits. The foregoing declarations put this paper in perspective. Gender can grow beyond any limit if it is not tied down to sex. Therefore, gender should be redefined as a process of activity and not a static label. However, this paper aims to show that in spite of the position which Cameroon occupies, Cameroonian writers like Alobwed’ Epie in his novel, The Lady with a Beard, redefines male and female stereotypes and roles. With a remarkable representation of his heroine in an evolving Cameroon, Emade surges her femininity through freedom of choice. The qualitative research method has been employed through document analysis, and in re-defining both gender roles, this study has adopted the Postmodern theory to debunk perspectives of a grand narrative, universality and stability in the novel to enhance gender configurations. In all, this paper confirms a radically budding change in stereotypical notions of gender, especially the female, in the Cameroonian and Bakossi setting.

Particules Flottantes : Mutable Identity and Postmodern "Schizophrenia" in the Works of Michel Houellebecq

Abstract: Michel Houellebecq's representations of selfhood, both in his theoretical works and literary oeuvre, depict the self as unstable, decentered or fluid, evoking postmodern theory about the dissociative nature of the self. In his essay "Approaches to Distress" (1997), he posits the notion of the "mutable self," and, for the unmoored protagonists of his novels, self-identity becomes increasingly fractured and fluid as they are engulfed by what the author terms "the market society." Herein, the individual is enjoined to adapt and change (in consonance with market forces, consumer tastes, social trends) while fixed values and identities are swept away by the mutability of capitalism. In his representations of selfhood, Houellebecq evokes the theories of Baudrillard and Jameson concerning postmodern schizophrenia, the latter eschewing clinical definitions of the term to offer a diagnosis of the subject's fractured psychical apparatus and loss of subjectivity in postmodernity.