What Is Poststructuralism?

Poststructuralism is an intellectual movement that emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to and critique of structuralism. While structuralism focused on identifying stable, underlying structures that determine meaning in language, culture, and society, poststructuralism challenges the notion of fixed structures and definite meanings. Poststructuralists argue that structures are not immutable but fluid, and that meanings are not absolute but constantly deferred and influenced by various factors such as context, perspective, and power dynamics. Central to poststructuralist thought is the concept of "différance," a term coined by Jacques Derrida, which encapsulates the idea that meaning arises from the differences and deferrals within language. This approach emphasizes the instability of meaning, the multiplicity of interpretations, and the role of power in constructing knowledge and what is considered true. Poststructuralism has significantly influenced fields such as literary theory, cultural studies, sociology, and philosophy, promoting a view of social reality as constructed through language and power dynamics.

I have books on a wide variety of topics from philosophy to the social sciences to technology for sale on Amazon, Apple Books, and Google Play Books! All of my ebooks are currently discounted to $6. Just search either for Andrew Chapman or for The Autodidact’s Toolkit.

[Summer-kbdm]

Finally! Someone explained Postructuralism without getting it wrong. Thank you.
Saving this vid for anyone who asks.

[macphin]

Dr Chapman, could you please do a video on Sartre's totalization in regards selfhood.

[Summer-kbdm]

PS What about Jean Baudrillard? Or Lyotard? Or are they decidedly different?
What is the difference between post-modernism and poststructuralism?