The Institute for Politics and Society has the honour to again welcome Professor Vaclav Bělohradský, this time with a public lecture on the theme "Taking the age of post-truth seriously."
The prefix “post” has played an important role in the 20th century. Its use before the adjective “industrial” heralded a turning point in the development of capitalism: the most important productive force becomes a man himself, in developing his intellect and ingenuity. Yet the age of uncompromising struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie has passed by itself. Instead, we have the Age of the company controlled by rational managers. Finally, using the prefix “post” before the adjective “modern” marks the end of irreconcilable disputes between outdated tradition and modern life forms.
In postmodern society the poles of tradition and modernity blend unpredictably. The past is no longer overcome by the present, but instead acts as seeds that hybridize with the present in unpredictable ways. And the same goes for the future. Mandatory orientation to the future is past. “The future is not what it used to be,” says one witty formula.
Why take seriously the formula “post-truth”? Is it a development of semantics of the prefix “post” or is it just an expression of helplessness that intellectuals use in a society with an abundance of communication? Does it mean that the founding myth of truth being a struggle between enlightened and unenlightened forces is itself a myth that has passed? Is there any way the word “post-truth” can be taken seriously? We’ll try to find an answer to that question.
The lecture will be held 3. April 2017 from 17:00 at the Foundation ABF (Wenceslas Square 833/31, Prague 1 – the passage between Europe and currency exchange Grandhotel).