The postmodern life-buoy character of higher education

Abstract

In this article the effect of postmodern influences on higher education, linked with the metaphor of a postmodern ocean and life-buoy reactions, is examined by way of a dual approach. Firstly the main trends of postmodernism, as they are realised within the broad functioning of this postmodern 'ocean', are identified. This is followed by a determination of appropriate 'life-buoy' reactions needed in the area of higher education to ensure viability and effectiveness within this postmodern 'ocean'. Met betrekking tot postmodernisme word aanvaar dat dit manifesteer as 'n korrigerende verlengstuk van die modernisme deurdat dit die oordrewe rasionalisme van die modernisme wil uitbalanseer en aanvul met klem ook op ander funksies en aspekte van menswees. Go phološa thuto ye e phagamego 'lewatleng' la postmodernism, dinyakwa mabapi le kamano ya tsebo, bokgoni bja go phadišana mo lefaseng la boiphedišo le tlhokego ya dinyakwa tša go sekaseka dikgoplo, di swanetšego go latelwa.