Postmodernism

Postmodernism (/poʊstˈmɒdərnɪzəm/) is a broad movement that developed in the mid- to late 20th century across philosophy, the arts, architecture, and criticism, marking a departure from modernism. The term has been more generally applied to describe a historical era said to follow after modernity and the tendencies of this era.

Etymology

The term "postmodernism" first entered the philosophical lexicon in 1979, with the publication of The Postmodern Condition by Jean-François Lyotard.

Related Terms

Modernism: A philosophical movement that, along with cultural trends and changes, arose from wide-scale and far-reaching transformations in Western society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Deconstruction: A method of critical analysis of philosophical and literary language that emphasizes the internal workings of language and conceptual systems, the relational quality of meaning, and the assumptions implicit in forms of expression.
Hyperreality: An inability of consciousness to distinguish reality from a simulation of reality, especially in technologically advanced postmodern societies.
Pastiche: A work of visual art, literature, theatre, or music that imitates the style or character of the work of one or more other artists.
Simulacrum: A representation or imitation of a person or thing.