Getting Started

This assignment will have you discuss the definition and challenge of the concept of “post” modernism. Recently, in philosophy, there has developed a need to move beyond the concept of modern (contemporary) times to the idea of a paradigm of the future. This idea is discussed in Chapter 15 of A Christian Philosophical Journey. Philosophy is especially equipped as an academic subject to do this, but it also represents a tremendous challenge and responsibility. If we get it right, it can help the human race to unite in ways we have not previously seen (incumbent with error or danger). If we get it wrong, it will have the effect of alienating people from each other based on their opposing concepts of history and progress (despite our abilities in science and technology). At stake is the choice between the objective nature of truth in modernity, and the subjective nature of truth in post-modernity (pre-modern, or pre-critical “eras” notwithstanding). What can we learn about post-modernism that can help or hurt the integration of faith and reason? This goes right to the heart of determining if there is one hermeneutic of history (a macro narrative) or if we all live out our stories either in competition with each other, or despite each other (micro narratives).

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Determine the validity of post-modernism.

· Identify the impact of post-modernism on human (mostly Western) society and values.

· Critique the author’s thesis that a “critical-realist” approach is the best Christian approach in both philosophical theory and practice.

Resources

· Textbook: A Christian Philosophical Journey

· Media: The Context of Morality

· Media: Alternative Moral Theories

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.

2. Review the Questions to Consider in Chapter 15 of your textbook, A Christian Philosophical Journey, page 325.

3. Optional: View the following presentations: “

The Context of Morality

” and “

Alternative Moral Theories

“.

4. Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following: Use the four-step course methodology of understanding, analysis, evaluation, and application. Write a 150- to 200-word description (three or four paragraphs, or at least five observations) about the contrast between modernism and post-modernism. Answer the following Questions to Consider from page 325 by analyzing the debate about objective or subjective truth in different periods of philosophy in Chapter 15:

a. To what extent can we really see the world as it really is?

b. To what extent is truth a function of power?

c. To what extent to texts have stable meanings?

d. What are the best Christian “take-aways” from postmodernism?

5. Give particular attention to the difference between an overall story of human history (macro narrative) that provides meaning in a collective sense, versus the concept of a society of individual human stories (micro narratives). What is your logical best assessment of post-modernism and what it seeks to do concerning objective truth?

6. Conclude your remarks by reviewing and assessing the list of five Christian inferences made by the author in Section 15.4 (pages 338–339) of the CPJ.

a. Provide a critique of the author’s thesis in this textbook (both in Chapter 8 and here) that a “critical-realist” approach is the best Christian approach in both philosophical theory and practice.

b. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

The Context of Morality –

https://media.pearsoncmg.com/pls/products/coco/ethics/1323253300/presentations/ge_eth_01_splash.html

Alternative Moral Theories –

https://media.pearsoncmg.com/pls/products/coco/ethics/1323253300/presentations/ge_eth_06_splash.html