What is the definition of the term 'postmodernism' and what are some key ideas and critiques of the philosophy?

Postmodernism is a philosophical movement that emerged in the mid-to-late 20th century. It is notoriously difficult to define, but at its core, postmodernism is a critique of modernism and its assumptions about rationality, objectivity, and progress.

Postmodernism challenges the idea of universal truth or objective reality, arguing instead that knowledge is constructed and always situated within specific contexts. It emphasizes the importance of language, culture, and power in shaping the way we think and communicate.

Key ideas associated with postmodernism include deconstruction, which involves analyzing texts to reveal their underlying assumptions, and bricolage, which involves combining diverse elements to create something new. Postmodernism also questions the notion of the autonomous or unified subject, emphasizing instead the fragmented, multiple, and conflicting nature of human identities and experiences.

Some critiques of postmodernism argue that it is overly skeptical or relativistic, undermining the possibility of objective knowledge or moral values. Others criticize postmodernism for being too focused on language and representation at the expense of material reality or lived experience.