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An attempt to explore some of the principal ways in which postmodern philosophy differs from traditional, modern philosophy. In particular, it is shown how postmodern philosophy undermines, rejects, or deconstructs the central modern notions of "subjectivity" & "objective reality" -- as well as all the subsidiary notions connected with these. A particular effort is made to determine what consequences follow from this move. Does postmodernism necessarily entail relativism & nihilism, as some of its critics allege? An important contrast is drawn in this regard between hermeneutics & other forms of postmodern thought. AA

Many philosophers now reject the conception of philosophy & of the resulting connexion between philosophy & pol, on which most of classical pol'al philosophy rests. If the philosophical, sociol'al & ideological impulses of pol'al theory have grown weaker in recent yrs, this ought to mean - at least as far as the ideological impulse is concerned - that questions of pol'al org, of allocation of pol'al rights & powers, etc, are not at present felt to be morally critical. The argument against `ideological pol' has taken a number of lines, one of which is that ideologically-dominated thinking has no relevance to the controlling facts of contemporary soc structure & change. It follows that much recent British & American pol'al theory has been concerned with the devaluation of ideology & ideologies, with showing the importance of `technique' as opposed to ideology, or with showing that 'incrementalism' (Dahl & Lindblom) or `piecemeal engineering' (Popper) are the most rational methods of pol'al change. J. Schumpeter, in his CAPITALISM, SOCIALISM AND DEMOCRACY, & R. A. Dahl, in PREFACE TO DEMOCRATIC THEORY, follow the same anti-ideological trend. Their example shows that it is absurd to say that the energy or the rigor of pol'al theorizing have declined; on the contrary, it has acquired an analytical thoroughness & sharpness, a closeness in argument, that is pretty new. It does show, however, a narrowing of moral interests & expectations, a dismissal of wider notions of equality, freedom, participation, & a tendency to be most interested in the existing machinery of democratic systems, which proceed from a sci'fic & critical approach of the problem. IPSA.