the·o·ry

–noun,plural-ries.

1.

a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena: Einstein's theory of relativity.

2.

a proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact.

Hal Foster's believed that even though in the 60s French philosophers believed the subject of post-modernism is dead, that we still need to investigate it for the sake of its American followers. It was pronounced dead more than 30 years ago when this article was published and as stated, "Surely, now as then, we are more complicated, more strange, more mobile and "multiple" than that, as indeed some contemporary theorist of identity have tried to show" (389). If we are so different, and still evolving, and becoming more removed from the people 40 years ago, how can we say that a subject is dead? "In fact, Post-Modernism is receding from us to a point where one might wonder what it once was" (388). Post-Modernism became to heavy for its own good. It did not allow the process of thought to continue, and that is why people pronounced the subject dead. But I think that we should still explore Post-Modernism, because it's context for today will be different than it once was, and that can be very important.

I found this article very challenging to read/understand. It did However make me think. I am not sure that I produced my thoughts clearly, but I tried.