I don't fully understand Postmodernism for Beginners but it seems like Lyotard's explanation of science relying upon narrative pretty accurately describes the Ford based religion seen in Brave New World.
In Postmodernism Lyotard points out that sciences main problem is it, "cannot legitimize its own activity", it relies upon political and philosophical narratives to explain the need for science at all. This is seen in the enlightenment ideals that science will bring knowledge to each individual and with this knowledge and progress we will bring happiness, to them," happiness means political freedom." However our society changed these ideals in the 20th century when science brought us World War II and The Holocaust. This disillusioned most people to the wonders of science and forced science to legitimize itself with efficiency for efficiency's sake.
However in Brave New World they have devised a system which allows science to be legitimate all in itself with a religious narrative. Through their worship of Ford the society in BNW has a narrative which,"legitimizes [itself]... just in the telling and at the same time [it] legitimizes the society in which [it] is told" but can also be proven on the basis of fact. We only really first see this religion in chapter 5 when Bernard attends a Solidarity Group. The ceremony this group performs is extremely similar to most church ceremonies, except for the drugs and sex obviously. Looking past the soma and huge orgy this ceremony's main purpose is to make the group feel like they are a part of a larger being. As Bernard observed it was ,"twelve of them ready to be made one, waiting to come together, to be fused, to lose their twelve separate identities in a larger being". This is essentially the point of any mass at Church, to make the church goers feel as though they are a part of their god's creation and plan as well as the church's orthodoxy. The only difference in the BNW religion is that because it is based upon Ford and the assembly line it holds up to scientific progress and actually encourages it. Without this religion their society is similar to the postmodern condition described by Lyotard in which Science is only concerned with performativity, or efficiency for efficiency's sake.
It's basically just another way Huxley has come up with a horribly perfect way to keep the BNW society running, by combining Lyotard's concepts of myths and science.
Oh and I know i didnt really bring up grand narratives at all but i dont quite understand them fully yet and what i do understand i don't necessarily agree with.
Hey Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I'd like to give a big "LOL" to your "However our society changed these ideals in the 20th century when science brought us World War II and The Holocaust" response.
Anyway, I agree with your religious views that are represented in Brave New World. I liked how you compared it to other church ceremonies, because it is essentially the same. One thing you mentioned that caught my eye, was when you wrote "..make the group feel like they are a part of a larger being." Part of the discussion we had today, I wanted to bring up how the people in Brave New World are not "robots" just because they are ranked and have to follow those specific rules. They are just forming a society and making the society stable, unlike ours. I believe that the people in Brave New World work together as a society, and we (unfortunately) are selfish and conceited to a point and thus work individually.
Anyway, back to the religion aspect you brought up, I concur that it is a reuniting of people and gathers them together as if they are a family. The ceremony is to make them feel united, which is what I brought up earlier about how they work as a team. I believe that it's a celebration that haves them do things they enjoy and do on a regular basis. And I don't really know because I'm behind on reading, but is everyone welcome to engage in these ceremonies or are only certain classes allowed to go?
Your blogs are really interesting and I'm glad you became part of this class!!