From Modernism to Postmodernism

Description

From Modernism to Postmodernism, edited by Lawrence E. Cahoone, is a foundational anthology in the Blackwell Philosophy Anthologies series that offers a wide-ranging and intellectually rich overview of the philosophical, cultural, and critical transitions from modernist to postmodernist thought. By bringing together a carefully curated selection of texts from influential thinkers such as Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Foucault, Derrida, Lyotard, and others, Cahoone provides a coherent narrative of how the modern commitment to reason, objectivity, and universal truth gradually gave way to the postmodern emphasis on plurality, subjectivity, and skepticism toward grand narratives. By organizing the anthology thematically, Cahoone helps readers trace key philosophical developments related to metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics, ethics, language, and power. He highlights how modernism’s belief in human progress and rational foundations began to unravel under the pressures of internal critique, cultural change, and the complexities of late 20th-century life. Through introductions and commentary, Cahoone contextualizes each thinker’s contribution, showing how postmodernism emerged not in opposition to modernism, but as a transformation and continuation of its unresolved questions. By juxtaposing classic and contemporary texts, the book invites readers to grapple with major philosophical issues such as the limits of knowledge, the role of language in shaping reality, and the shifting boundaries between truth and interpretation. From Modernism to Postmodernism is not just a historical account but a critical resource that challenges readers to rethink the foundations of Western thought and understand the philosophical undercurrents of the contemporary world.