Metanarrative

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'''Metanarrative''' A metanarrative is like a grand theory, a totalizing narrative that explains our knowledge and our experiences. Small stories and explanations are connected and combined to form a grand story which produces a form of '[[truth]]' or 'universal reason'. Examples of metanarratives are religions and science but there are also political metanarratives such as fascism and communism. The term metanarrative was first used by [[Jean-François Lyotard]] in his book ''The postmodern condition: a report on knowledge''. Lyotard criticizes metanarratives. In [[postmodernism]], metanarratives are seen as a method to justify authority, social customs and the power structures present in society. Lyotard argues metanarratives should be replaced with localized 'little' narratives. But some argue postmodernisms incredulity towards metanarratives is a metanarrative itself, a grand theory of universal scepticism. ---- Created by Judith Nijenhuis (s3009270) '''References''' Lyotard, J., F. (n.d.). Introduction to the postmodern condition: a report on knowledge. Vinddatum 17 september 2011, op http://www.idehist.uu.se/distans/ilmh/pm/lyotard-introd.htm Metanarratives. (n.d.). Vinddatum 17 september 2011, op http://www.sociology.org.uk/ws1k5.htm New World Encyclopedia. (n.d.). Metanarrative. Vinddatum 17 september 2011, op http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Metanarrative

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