Grand
theories, but not unilineal unfolding of history
Not
a search for origins, but analysis at different points in time--raising questions
rather than finding answers
Focused
on incoherence: internal contradictions
Emphasis
on the discontinuities and reversals in history, relativism.
Governmentalities
(see also):
"The practices and techniques by which control is exercised over people."
(2, page 219)(additional resources: here and here)
Fear
of the "void" and draw of community: Neotribalism
(acceptance and refuge)
Yet,
lack of concern and self-centeredness--possibility of cruelty
Consumerism
is not enough to satisfy our needs
Postmodern
Ethics
Rejection
of coercive codes
Moral
ambivalence
No
universal morality
"One
has to be for the Other before it is possible to be with
the Other." (2, p. 229)
Rejection
of complete relativism--there is a need for the center (state,
self).
Irresolvable
Moral Dilemmas
"People
have full moral choice, but they have it without the guidance
of an overarching moral code once promised by moderity....morality...has
been privatized." (2, p. 230)
The
Rise of Consumer Society, Loss of Symbolic Exchange, and Increase in Simulations
Difference--versus
needs (differences are infinite, therefore no end to consumption)(2,
p. 232)
The
code controls choice and defines "needs" (how, what, where, and
when to buy, as well as what we buy means)
Consumption
has little to do with "reality." It's not so much what we consume,
but what "what we consume" means.
Relate
more to objects and settings than to other humans (spend our time in these
places, do the work (atm's, etc.), and people there are replicants: "would
you like to supersize that?"
From
Production to Consumption
Control
over consumers
Insure
active and regular consumption: advertising,
advertising
2010, credit cards, spending time consuming or working for the money to
consume.
The
Loss of Symbolic Exchange and the Increase in Simulations
Go
to the U.S. Census Bureau’s website: http://www.census.gov and click on the box labeled
“E-Stats.” Go to the latest E-Commerce Statistics. Then, click on the most
recent quarterly e-commerce report and note the e-commerce sales for this quarter.
Then go to “previous releases” and check the e-commerce sales from a comparable
quarter in 2001.
What is the estimate of U.S. retail e-commerce sales
for the most recent quarter?
How
much of a percentage increase is this from 2001
Do
your findings support the claim that we are living in a postmodern world?
Why?
How
much has the population of prisoners incarcerated for drug offenses increased
since 1980?
What
group is disproportionately represented as part of the prison population?
Use
Michel Foucault’s concept of a carceral archipelago to interpret these trends.
From
Foucault’s perspective, what other information about crime and prisoners would
be useful to know? Can you find it on the Internet? Does it support or refute
his conclusions?
1.
Much of this page comes from the "Instructor's Manual" to accompany Contemporary
Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots: The Basics, Second Edition,
George Ritzer, Mcgraw-Hill, 2007. The Instructor's Manual was prepared by James
Murphy, University of Maryland, College Park and Todd Stillman, Fayetteville
State University. These excerpts are from chapter 9. 2. Ritzer, George. 2007/2010/2013. Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classical Roots: The Basics. 2nd/3rd/4th editions. St. Louis: McGraw-Hill
URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/3210/3210_lectures/post_modern.html
Owner: Robert O. Keel: rok@umsl.edu
Last Updated:
Friday, August 14, 2015 9:34 AM
