Postmodernists: proof of points of triviality and sophistry

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Charles Murray's critique of postmodernists in literary criticism as presented in his book, Real Smart: Four Simple Truths For Bringing America's Schools Back To Reality. Murray argues that these postmodernists utilize complex vocabulary to construct convoluted arguments that trivialize serious discourse, a tactic he believes is prevalent in academia. Participants express interest in identifying specific postmodernist authors and their works, questioning the relevance of figures like Michel Foucault in this context. The conversation also references the Alan Sokal hoax in "Social Text" as a notable example of postmodernist critique.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of postmodernism in literary theory
  • Familiarity with key figures such as Michel Foucault
  • Knowledge of academic discourse and its critiques
  • Awareness of the Sokal affair and its implications in literary criticism
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the works of Jacques Derrida and his contributions to postmodern literary criticism
  • Explore the implications of the Sokal affair on contemporary academic practices
  • Investigate the writings of Jean-François Lyotard and his views on postmodernism
  • Examine critiques of postmodernism in literature and their impact on modern scholarship
USEFUL FOR

Literary scholars, students of philosophy, and anyone interested in the critique of postmodernism in academic discourse will benefit from this discussion.

bluemoonKY
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In Charles Murray's book Real Smart: Four Simple Truths For Bringing America's Schools Back To Reality, Murray writes about the postmodernists in literary criticism. His description really gets my interest. I think it would be interesting and perhaps amusing (I have a strange sense of humor) to me to read the work of the postmodernists in literary criticism that Murray is referring to. I will include the first few sentences before the mention of the postmodernists in literary criticism to provide a little bit of context, and I will put the part I'm referring to in boldface. Here is the excerpt:
"The second thing we have going for us is that professors are deeply motivated to show their peers how smart they are--exhibiting smartness is the only way to score points that count in academia. The way to do that is to say smart things about difficult problems in their fields. For the last few decades, intellectual fashion has made it possible for professors to score points by being tricky-smart. The postmodernists in literary criticism are an excellent example, using impenetrable vocabulary to make convoluted arguments in proof of points of a triviality and sophistry that would excite the envy of a medieval theologian." Who are the postmodernists in literary criticism? I mean, what are the names of some of these postmodernists in literary criticism? How can I find their work? What are some examples of books in which postmodernists in literary criticism use impenetrable vocabulary to make convoluted arguments in proof of points of triviality and sophistry that would excite the envy of a medieval theologian?
 
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There's Foucalt, but I don't know that he does literary criticism.
 
I've read a few of Foucault's book (some 20 years ago), and as far as I remember they were actually very easy to read. Hence, I don't think he would be a good example.
 
bluemoonKY said:
In Charles Murray's book Real Smart: Four Simple Truths For Bringing America's Schools Back To Reality, Murray writes about the postmodernists in literary criticism. His description really gets my interest. I think it would be interesting and perhaps amusing (I have a strange sense of humor) to me to read the work of the postmodernists in literary criticism that Murray is referring to. I will include the first few sentences before the mention of the postmodernists in literary criticism to provide a little bit of context, and I will put the part I'm referring to in boldface. Here is the excerpt:
"The second thing we have going for us is that professors are deeply motivated to show their peers how smart they are--exhibiting smartness is the only way to score points that count in academia. The way to do that is to say smart things about difficult problems in their fields. For the last few decades, intellectual fashion has made it possible for professors to score points by being tricky-smart. The postmodernists in literary criticism are an excellent example, using impenetrable vocabulary to make convoluted arguments in proof of points of a triviality and sophistry that would excite the envy of a medieval theologian." Who are the postmodernists in literary criticism? I mean, what are the names of some of these postmodernists in literary criticism? How can I find their work? What are some examples of books in which postmodernists in literary criticism use impenetrable vocabulary to make convoluted arguments in proof of points of triviality and sophistry that would excite the envy of a medieval theologian?

Did you miss the whole debacle surrounding Alan Sokal's hoax in "Social Text"?

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
Did you miss the whole debacle surrounding Alan Sokal's hoax in "Social Text"?

Zz.

ZapperZ, yes, I did miss it. I've never heard of Alan Sokal or "Social Text".
 

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