Jean-François Lyotard, a prominent philosopher, is known for his views on Postmodernism. He argued that postmodernism challenges grand narratives or metanarratives – overarching theories that claim to explain the entirety of human experience. Lyotard believed that in a postmodern world, such metanarratives lose their credibility, leading to a fragmented understanding of reality. He emphasized the importance of “language games” and how knowledge is created through diverse discourses. Lyotard’s work, especially his book “The Postmodern Condition,” critically examined the role of technology and information in shaping society. He believed that postmodernism is characterized by an incredulity toward metanarratives and a recognition of the diversity of smaller narratives. However, he also faced criticism for allegedly undermining the pursuit of truth and promoting relativism.
