The postmodernist mindset is hugely influenced by romanticism.
Shelley proclaimed that . . .
"love is free: to promise for ever to love the same woman is not less absurd than to believe the same creed."
proclaimed that “love is free: to promise for ever to love the same woman is not less absurd
than to believe the same creed.”
German theologian Schleiermacher believed that each person should have their own
custom-built religion! The central commandment of romanticism was – “Be unique! Be
yourself”. This fundamental declaration of autonomy resonates loudly and clearly with
postmodernist citizens.
In the 18th century poets and thinkers like Shelley and Schleiermacher were shunned
and rebuffed by ordinary folk. Their ideas were scandalous and outrageous. Now it is an
everyday occurrence to meet ordinary people who embrace autonomy in this radical
sense.
“I think I believe in reincarnation……a bit.”
Somehow the belief in reincarnation has become an item in a fancy dress shop.
We try it on for size as we giggle and smirk. Somehow it’s entertaining to toy with an exotic belief. Ten minutes later we are bored and so we summon other beliefs to play with.
romanticism. Very often the 18th century romantic was idealistic and charged with
Neoplatonism, nature worship and gushing sincerity. This mindset can still be found
today but the deepest impulses of postmodernism have a far more malleable and plastic
understanding of belief. As we have already noted, we construct the world with our
beliefs. We are magicians who conjure worlds from practically nothing.
many 18th century romantics rebelled
against the science worship of the
Enlightenment. Sensitive, thoughtful men
and women understood what we have called
the Cronus feature of modern science.
Naturalistic science threatens to swallow up
our cravings for freedom, morality and
significance. A similar theme is emerging in
postmodernism.
the values. Science is factual and everything else is a construct.
The postmodernist, on the other hand, does not want to be told that genes or the
environment determine our behaviour. This scientific necessity undermines our proud
autonomy.
She waves a dismissive hand and cries – “Let’s construct both the facts and the values.”