postmodernists

Postmodernists are adherents of postmodernism, a broad intellectual movement that emerged in the late 20th century as a critique of modernist ideals of progress, certainty, and universal truth. The term spans philosophy, literature, anthropology, sociology, art, and architecture, and it is characterized by a move away from grand narratives toward plural perspectives.

Core ideas include skepticism toward metanarratives or overarching explanations of history and society (Lyotard), the view that language and discourse shape rather than merely reflect reality, and the notion that knowledge is socially constructed and influenced by power relations (Foucault). Postmodernists often employ deconstruction of texts and meanings (Derrida), question the possibility of objective representation, and emphasize plurality, irony, and ambiguity.

In practice, postmodernism manifests in literature and art through intertextuality, pastiche, metafiction, fragmentation, and a questioning of authorship and originality. In architecture, film, and cultural theory, it is associated with deconstructive strategies and considerations of simulacra and hyperreality (Baudrillard). The movement tends to blur boundaries between high and popular culture and to destabilize notions of truth, authenticity, and authority.

History and scope: postmodernism developed from the 1960s onward and influenced diverse domains, evolving into a loose, contested set of ideas rather than a single school. Notable figures commonly associated with postmodernism include Jean-François Lyotard, Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, and Jean Baudrillard, among others such as Fredric Jameson and Julia Kristeva.

Reception and critique: postmodernism has been criticized for alleged relativism, skepticism toward ethics, and political impotence, while proponents argue that it exposes how knowledge, culture, and power are intertwined and historically contingent. The term is used variably across disciplines and often contrasted with modernist ideals.