Postmodernism and Apathy

Because of various things going on in classes and on campus, I have been thinking about philosophy a lot over the last several days. Now, I don't pretend to be a philosopher. I have a basic understanding picked up in debate rounds and a few scattered classes. It's been enough to pique my interest but, being an over-ambitious college student, I haven't had time to read all the books I want to.

Here's my understanding of post-modernism: There is no such thing as truth. Everything is relative. Everything is explicable. Just because you have a set of morals doesn't mean everyone else is beholden to the same moral code. You are your own unique individual.

My understanding of apathy: You just don't care.

In my estimation, postmodernism leads to the raging apathy I see as an epidemic both on my campus and in the world. If we're all free, happy little snowflakes, existing in our own tiny microcosmic view of the world, thoroughly convinced that we are right and no one can tell us otherwise, the only thing that can relate to is isolationism.

A common belief system is what draws people together. It unites people and has the power to catalyze revolutions. Think of the Reformation. Think of the American Civil War. Think of the Civil Rights movement of the 60s. These things brought people together and resulted in revolutions of massive proportions because people were sold out for the thing they were fighting for.

Now, when we're all wrapped up in our own individualistic idea, it isolates us from other people. As postmodernism continues to exert itself as the primary mode of intellectual and social thinking, we grow further and further apart from our fellow human beings. We've allowed ourselves to write the rules to our lives but as a result, no one is willing to play with us. By granting ourselves intellectual freedom, we're making for ourselves a mental monastic hermitage, a religion of one that serves only ourselves.

Furthermore, because of this, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignite anyone toward a purpose. When there is no truth, there can be no consensus. When there is no agreement, there can be no movement, no decision that action must be taken. We have literally dismantled the catalyst that drives human revolution, which is the synergy humans have when they agree on something. By seeking to powerful in our individuality, we have destroyed the true power humans have: what we can do when we work together.