Analysis of the Concept of Grand Narratives in the Postmodern Philosophy of Jean-François Lyotard

Abstract

          The purpose of this article was to analyze the concept of Grand Narratives in the postmodern philosophy of Jean-François Lyotard by examining its foundations, significance, and impact on contemporary society. The analysis focused on questioning the universality of Grand Narratives and proposing new practical and philosophical contexts. The research employed qualitative methods, primarily through the analysis of key documents related to Lyotard's ideas. The findings revealed that Grand Narratives were criticized as tools supporting centralized power structures while diminishing societal diversity in perspectives. Replacing Grand Narratives with Petite Narratives fostered a more flexible and decentralized knowledge system, which significantly influenced changes in social structures and communication. Additionally, the analysis demonstrated that Grand Narratives raised global awareness of the importance of cultural diversity and differing viewpoints, contributing to the promotion of equality and justice in society. The reduction of Grand Narrative dominance allowed various communities to generate knowledge and practices tailored to their specific contexts, fostering sustainable and inclusive social development. This awareness was deemed crucial for building a global society that values and respects differences while supporting balanced development at both local and global levels. The new knowledge derived from this research is the NEWS Model, which comprises four key components as follows: N: Narrative Deconstruction, E: Ethical Relativity, W: Wisdom Co-Creation, S: Situational Truth.