Lecture: ‘Postmodernism encourages pluralism’

Scholar believes rationalism gave rise to fascist ideas.

ISLAMABAD:

Postmodernism might help spread the message of pluralism and tolerance, which are much needed in present-day societies, according to a  professor of philosophy.

Dr Iqbal Afaqi was giving a talk on “Postmodernism: a critique” at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad on Wednesday. “Modernism, including the rationalist world view it purports, gave rise to concepts of a glorified self, a super human race, which created many problems during the 20th century,” he said in what can be termed as a controversial statement, but he goes on to explain his reasoning.

“Postmodernism debunks this fascism of ideas by rejecting the absolutism imposed by reason and promotes pluralism instead,” he said.



Dr Afaqi started his lecture by explaining modernism to the around two-dozen people who attended the talk. Modernism is centered on rationality, but it assigns omnipotence to reason which can be used for fascist ideologies, Afaqi said. He then moved on to explaining the postulates of postmodernism, including the position that no one should impose their own subjective beliefs on others.



Postmodernism is a 20th century concept that states there is no objective reality as it is merely a social construct.

Ashfaq Saleem Mirza, who moderated the talk, gave an everyday example to drive the point home for the audience, “The declaration of the most beautiful woman as Miss World is a meta narrative which is anti-postmodernmist” because the Miss World title would signify an objective reality not recognised by postmodernism.

Although the audience was not too aware of postmodern theory, it took a keen interest in the discussion. The talk was organised by the Islamabad Cultural Forum as part of the School of Modern History and Philosophy lecture series.

The school is an informal gathering where participants indulge in philosophical discussions.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2013.