X-Mailer: StrongMail Enterprise 1.0-2(2.00.224) X-SMHeaderMap: mid="X-MailingID" X-MailingID: 00000::00000::00000::00000::::815723 X-Destination-ID: X-VirtualServerGroup: UNDEF X-Mailer: 8.0 for Windows sub 6811 X-Spam-Flag: NO Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 15:19:06 EDT Reply-To: Postmodern Therapies Sender: Postmodern Therapies From: "Gerald K. Rubin" Subject: If Wittgenstein and Lyotard could talk with Jack and Jill To: PMTH@LISTSERV.ICORS.ORG List-Help: , List-Unsubscribe: List-Subscribe: List-Owner: List-Archive: This is a review of the DVD film If Wittgenstein and Lyotard Could Talk With Jack and Jill (2006). The film is by Ludo Gielen with the script and narration by Lois Shawver. Flute music is by Douglas Kurdys. The script is based on Shawver's paper by the same name, published in the Journal of Family Therapy, 23, 232-252. The intent of this imaginary setting is to present the ideas of postmodernism through the interactive conversations among Jack (a young philosophy student who presents himself as a philosophical realist), Jill (a graduate student in psychology/counseling who is struggling with the ideas of academic philosophy, the meaning of reality, and is in search of a better understanding of "truth"), and the distinguished philosophers Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) and Jean-Francois Lyotard (1924-98), with a brief appearance by J. L. Austin (1911-1960). The setting is a tea party. After Jack and Jill end their conversation, Jack introduces Jill to Ludwig Wittgenstein (Ludo Gielen) and Jean-Francois Lyotard (Bernard Bruggeman) who join the tea party. (J. L. Austin makes an appearance early in the film.) Jack then departs. All actors, including Jack (Steven De Lelle), Jill (Pascale Wouters) and Austin (Peter Aertsen) are authentic and convincing. Bruggeman bears a striking resemblance to Lyotard. Lois Shawver's narration is clear and thoughtful. She highlights important issues and questions throughout the film. Wittgenstein expounds on the inherent ambiguity of language ("language games"). Lyotard contrasts his understanding of postmodernism with that of the psychologist Barbara Held, and defines postmodernism as "the incredulity toward metanarratives." A metanarrative is a dogmatic and grand theory not subject to outside challenge or criticism. Postmoderns are entirely skeptical of metanarratives. The postmodern terms of "bricolage" (first introduced by Austin and utilized by Lyotard) refers to the changing meaning of words, and "paralogy"refers to engaging in the sharing and discussing of various and differing ideas in open conversation. "Paralogy" is extremely important to Lyotard. Throughout the film the philosophers express their views clearly and in the spirit of communicating with Jill and each other. This film is an excellent representation of postmodernism. Wittgenstein lived in the modern era but Lyotard finds some of his concerns about language to be "a bridge" to postmodernism. Dr. Shawver occasionally interjects to briefly highlight important occurrences and at one point she exhorts one of the philosophers, "Lyotard, we want to know!" This film is recommended for therapists of all disciplines. It is a substantial introduction to postmodern thinking and will serve as a stimulus for those who wish to further explore readings on this subject. In a certain sense, Jill emerges as the hero of the film. In the face of eminent philosophers of enormous intelligence, creativity, and productivity, Jill is not intimidated. She continues to ask, probe, and confront. She is beginning to "get it." Jill, while still questioning, may well be on her way to becoming postmodern. The implications for postmodern therapy begin to be teased out later in the film. The emphasis on openness and dialogue are clearly apparent, as is the need for the therapist to be eclectic in her/his approach to therapy. Lois Shawver notes that from now on "there is no going to a master for a final answer." Gerald Rubin, MSW, Ph.D. PMTH Subscriber