End of the 20th century has witnessed sudden emergence of “Identity Culture”. More and more people across the globe are thinking about their identity and origin. Collective identity is gaining more and more importance. Noted Scholar Samuel Huntington writes in his celebrated work „ Kampf der Kulturen“ : „Völker und Nationen versuchen heute, die elementarste Frage zu beantworten, vor der Menschen stehen können: Wer sind wir ?“ Identifying with others, in various different ways, can be extremely important for living in postmodern society.
In today’s postmodern times identities are ever changing, overlapping and they are also situation specific. This paper intends to explore the possibility of describing cultural identity emerging in contemporary postmodern world. I begin with conceptualization of the term “Culture”. The main purpose of this work is to deal with cultural identity in postmodern age and hence I have taken liberty to use the words postmodern, postmodernity and postmodernism synonymously.
The term postmodern consists of a whole plethora of interpretations and it derives its origin from modernism. Hence I start with description of modernism in chapter two. Thereafter comparative analysis of modernism and postmodernism is presented.
Postmodern age is an age of dilemmas. This era has given momentum to identity culture. As mentioned earlier more and more people are worried about their identities and various discourses at various levels are taking place. But simultaneously cultural identity in this era is getting fragmented. Hence discussion in divided two parts namely - identity culture and cultural identity - in postmodern times. I have deliberately restricted my sphere to philosophical and cultural fields.
Table of Contents
- 1. Definitions of Culture
- 1.1 Conceptualization of Culture
- 1.2 Clustered Image of Culture
- 1.3 Some Nuances of Culture
- 1.4 Some Pitfalls of Culture
- 2. Understanding Postmodernism
- 2.1 What is Modernism?
- 2.2 Ideas of Modernism
- 2.3 What is Postmodernism?
- 2.4 Postmodernism and Grand Narratives
- 2.5 Comparative Study of Modernism and Postmodernism
- 3. Postmodern World: Identity Culture and Cultural Identity
- 3.1 Identity Culture in a Postmodern World
- 3.2 Cultural Identity in a Postmodern World
- 3.3 A Photomontage depicting Postmodern Cultural Identity
Objectives and Key Themes
This work explores the concept of cultural identity within the context of the postmodern world. It begins by defining "culture" and then examines the transition from modernism to postmodernism, highlighting the key differences between the two. The main objective is to understand how cultural identity manifests in this ever-changing postmodern landscape, acknowledging the simultaneous rise of "identity culture" and fragmentation of traditional cultural identities. The analysis is primarily philosophical and cultural in its scope.
- Defining and conceptualizing "culture" in its various forms.
- Contrasting modernism and postmodernism and their impact on identity.
- Examining the emergence of "identity culture" in a postmodern context.
- Analyzing the fragmentation and fluidity of cultural identity in the postmodern world.
- Exploring the philosophical and cultural implications of these phenomena.
Chapter Summaries
1. Definitions of Culture: This chapter delves into the multifaceted nature of the term "culture." It begins by establishing that "culture" is an abstract term requiring further conceptualization, illustrated by examples such as "American Culture" or "European Culture." Several definitions are presented, including Kroeber & Kluckhohn's description of culture as patterns of behavior acquired and transmitted through symbols, Hofstede's emphasis on "collective programming of the mind," and Hall's observation that culture often becomes apparent when challenged. The chapter also introduces a layered model of culture, comparing it to an onion with visible and invisible levels, and explores various nuanced understandings of culture, such as culture as shared habits, a virtue, and a core value.
2. Understanding Postmodernism: This chapter provides a framework for understanding postmodernism by first defining modernism and its core tenets. It then contrasts modernism with postmodernism, emphasizing the shift from grand narratives and universal truths to a more fragmented and relativistic perspective. The comparison highlights the key differences in their approaches to knowledge, reality, and identity, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion of cultural identity in a postmodern world.
3. Postmodern World: Identity Culture and Cultural Identity: This chapter explores the central theme of the work: the interplay between identity culture and cultural identity in the postmodern world. It examines the rise of "identity culture," where individuals increasingly grapple with questions of identity and origin, and the simultaneous fragmentation of traditional cultural identities. The chapter likely analyzes how these two concepts coexist and influence each other in the fluid and ever-evolving postmodern context. The inclusion of a photomontage suggests a visual representation of the complex and multifaceted nature of postmodern cultural identity.
Keywords
Culture, cultural identity, identity culture, postmodernism, modernism, postmodernity, collective identity, fragmentation, relativism, grand narratives, philosophical analysis, cultural studies.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the overall topic of this academic preview?
This preview presents a comprehensive overview of a work exploring cultural identity within the context of postmodernism. It examines the definitions of culture, contrasts modernism and postmodernism, and analyzes the emergence of "identity culture" and the fragmentation of traditional cultural identities in the postmodern world.
What are the main sections covered in the preview?
The preview includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It provides a detailed outline of the book's structure and content, allowing readers to understand the scope and focus of the work.
How is "culture" defined in this preview?
The preview explores various definitions of "culture," including Kroeber & Kluckhohn's description as patterns of behavior, Hofstede's emphasis on collective programming of the mind, and Hall's observation of culture's manifestation under challenge. It also introduces a layered model of culture, comparing it to an onion with visible and invisible layers.
What is the relationship between modernism and postmodernism in this context?
The preview contrasts modernism and postmodernism, highlighting the shift from grand narratives and universal truths to a fragmented and relativistic perspective in postmodernism. This contrast is crucial in understanding the evolving nature of cultural identity.
What is "identity culture," and how does it relate to cultural identity in a postmodern world?
The preview examines the rise of "identity culture," where individuals grapple with questions of identity and origin. It analyzes how "identity culture" interacts with the simultaneous fragmentation of traditional cultural identities in the fluid context of postmodernity.
What is the methodology used in this work?
The analysis presented in this work is primarily philosophical and cultural in its scope. It uses comparative analysis of modernism and postmodernism and explores the conceptualization and nuances of culture.
What are the key themes explored in this work?
Key themes include defining and conceptualizing culture, contrasting modernism and postmodernism, examining the emergence of identity culture, analyzing the fragmentation of cultural identity, and exploring the philosophical and cultural implications of these phenomena.
What are the key words associated with this work?
Keywords include: Culture, cultural identity, identity culture, postmodernism, modernism, postmodernity, collective identity, fragmentation, relativism, grand narratives, philosophical analysis, and cultural studies.
What is included in each chapter summary?
Each chapter summary provides a concise overview of the chapter's content, highlighting the key concepts and arguments presented. Chapter 1 focuses on defining culture, Chapter 2 contrasts modernism and postmodernism, and Chapter 3 explores identity culture and cultural identity in the postmodern world.
What kind of visual aid is mentioned in the preview?
The preview mentions a photomontage in Chapter 3 which is intended to visually represent the complex and multifaceted nature of postmodern cultural identity.
- Citation du texte
- Jitendra Jain (Auteur), 2007, “Identity Culture” and “Cultural Identity” in a Postmodern World, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/163899
