Philosophy Psychology Sociology Political Science

Bauman, Z. (1992). Intimations of postmodernity. London: Routledge.

IS SOCIETY MOVING TOWARDS A CONDITION OF POSTMODERNITY?

SHOULD WE CARE IF IT IS?

This superb book, written by one of the most accomplished writers in the field, provides an indispensable statement on the meaning and importance of postmodernity. It goes further than any other text in revealing the roots of postmodernity in the project of modernity, and in revising our views about how we should think about self and society today.

'Few other sociologists have addressed the question of the postmodern with the breadth of imagination and vision that Bauman can muster. This book steers a careful course between the twin excesses of instant dismissal - postmodernism as something to be "against" - and thoughtless adoption - postmodernism as something to be "celebrated". It is a magnificent book which exemplifies Bauman at his brilliant best.'

Barry Smart, Auckland University

Zygmunt Bauman is Professor of Sociology at Leeds University.

Sociology/Cultural Studies

Cover photograph: Zygniunc Bauman

Cover design: Andrew Corbett

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Bauman, Z. (1992). Intimations of postmodernity. London: Routledge.

Comment

Sociology

Contents

Introduction: The re-enchantment of the world, or,

how can one narrate postmodemity? ............................................vii

1. LEGISLATORS AND INTERPRETERS: CULTURE
   
   AS THE IDEOLOGY OF INTELLECTUALS ................................1
2. SOCIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO
   
   POSTMODERNITY .................................................................26
3. THE CHANGING DISCURSIVE
   
   FORMATION OF SOCIOLOGY ................................................68
4. IS THERE A POSTMODERN SOCIOLOGY? .............................93
5. PHILOSOPHICAL AFFINITIES OF
   
   POSTMODERN SOCIOLOGY .................................................114
6. THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JEAN
   
   BAUDRILLARD ......................................................................149
7. COMMUNISM: A POSTMORTEM ........................................... 156
8. LIVING WITHOUT AN ALTERNATIVE .......................................175
9. A SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY OF POSTMODERNITY .................187

Appendix: An interview with Zygmunt Bauman

Richard Kilminster and Ian Varcoe ...............................................205

Index ........................................................................................229

Bauman, Z. (1992). Intimations of postmodernity. London: Routledge, p.v

Comment

Introduction:

You may not be sure what to expect here. You may not be sure what re-enchantment might mean here. To narrate postmodernity probably refers to how we tell the story of postmodernity.

Perhaps postmodernity has to do with re-enchanting the world, that is, seeing the world as having some sort of mystery about it again (a bit like a religious outlook!). You are probably aware that the scientific approach to the world (associated with modernity) has been linked with the disenchantment of the world, where the world is emptied of mystery.

Chapter 1:

He may argue that culture is a form of ideology, but the ideology of the intellectuals rather than of ordinary people. It may not be clear what legislators and interpreters have to do with this, except perhaps that intellectuals are often the legislators and interpreters of life for ordinary people or society as a whole.

Chapter 2:

How does the discipline of sociology (as a science perhaps?) view or interpret the idea of postmodernity?

Chapter 3:

How has sociology itself been changed by postmodernity?

Chapter 4:

Can sociology be postmodern? Perhaps this has something to do with the scientific status of sociology.

Chapter 5:

It seems that he accepts there is a postmodern sociology (the answer to the problem of chapter 4). Perhaps he will look at the philosophical ideas that support a postmodern sociology.

Chapter 6:

You may not know who Baudrillard is. You might predict that he is French and a postmodern sociologist.

Chapter 7:

Why Communism? The writer obviously thinks Communism is dead. What is its relevance to postmodernity? Perhaps in some way postmodernism takes over from Communism. Otherwise why discuss it? But in what way exactly?

Chapter 8:

Does he mean there is no alternative to postmodernism (for example, Communism is dead)? But if so, you might wonder why he sees this as a problem, or why it needs to be discussed.

Chapter 9:

You may predict that he will give his own sociological theory of postmodernity.

Appendix

This might be interesting, as it is an interview with the author. It might make some of his ideas clearer.