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Post-Modernism: An Analysis

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Abuzar Saeed Rana
Post-Modernism: An Analysis

Post-Modernism

Abuzar Saeed Rana

Fast University, Lahore, Pakistan

Post-Modernism is a theory, philosophy and practice. It includes fusion of ideas and practices. Roots of Post-Modernism are Colonialism and Modernism. I summarize and analyze here two articles on the topic of Post-Modernism.

Article 1:

Title: Do not adjust your mind: post-modernism, reality and the other.

Author: Ziauddin Sardar

Journal: Futures [Volume 25, Issue 8, 1993, Pages 877-893].

Summary: The author Ziauddin Sardar was a theorist and futurist of international stature. He was the Consulting Editor of the Elsevier Journal “Futures”. Summary or main points of his discussion are described below. Humanity has always been changing and transforming itself. We have moved through several stages which are stone age, bronze age, iron age, colonialism, modernism and post-modernism. There are three forces which are responsible for the transition from modernism to post-modernism: (i) total breakdown of the old ways of belief, (ii) The emergence of a truly global culture, (iii) conflict about nature of reality and social truth. These forces are so powerful that nothing in the previous era could stand them. According to the author, post-modernism is irreversible.

Analysis: This is a critical analysis about the process of development of the human society and its civilization. Thoughts presented are very sound and logical. I partly disagree with the author that old ways of the belief has been broken down totally. The ways of belief have not been broken down but have gone through interesting evolution. For instance, large populations around the world have been practicing Islam in somewhat the same way. I also slightly disagree that post-modernism is irreversible. Some people may like to return to old ways of life (like reduction in the un-necessary use of technology and industrialization) as they had some merits, like cleaner environment. Even, at present people have started realizing that extensive use of  social media are influencing the human lives adversely.

Article 2:

Title: Islamic Philosophy and the Challenge of Post Modernism

Author: Ahmed Shaikh Salman

Journal: Postmodern Openings [Volume 2, Issue 8, 2011, Pages 45-61]

Summary: The author of this article discusses Post-Modernism with several angles including sociology, philosophy and history. His perspective is Islamic Civilization. He addresses the issue of influence of globalization on the Islamic belief and practice. The work of different key contributors is reviewed here. A comparison of Post-Modernism theory and the Philosophical heritage of the Islamic faith is presented in a comprehensive way. Challenges posed by the Post-Modernism to the Islamic faith and philosophy have been discussed. Major challenge is saving our Islamic culture and civilization still catching up the world progress.

Analysis: This is an interesting article, especially for the Muslim audience. The author has adopted a pro-Islamic approach and has not addressed the desires of the Non-Muslim communities. He should have discussed how Muslims can fit better with Non-Muslim communities in the Post-Modernism era. No clear guidelines or suggestions have been given in the article in this perspective. In my view, Muslims should adopt two-pronged policy to meet the challenges posed by the Post-Modernism. One is adopting the modern knowledge of science and technology in an ambitious way and second is promoting the arguments about policy making in Muslim societies.  


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