Customer Reviews

When Wittgenstein and Lyotard Talked with Jack and Jill

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

The imaginary setting of this lucid film presents the ideas of postmodenism through the interactive conversations among Jack, a young philosophy student who presents himself as a philosophical realist and 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." Jack introduces Jill to the distinguished philosophers Ludwig Wittgenstein (1989-1951) and Jean-Francois Lyotard (1924--1998,(with a brief later appearance by J.L. Austin (1911-1960). The setting of the film is a tea party. All actors involved are authentic and convincing. Dr. 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 towards 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 philsophers express their views clearly and in the spirit of communicating with Jill and each other.
The 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 hightlight important occurrences and at one point she exhorts one of the philosophers, "Lyotard, we want to know!"
The film is recommended for therapists of all disciplines. It is a substantial contribution to postmodern thinking and will serve as a stimulus to those who wish to further explore readings on the 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 emphases on openness and dialogue are clearly apparent, as is the need for the therapist to be eclectic in his/her approach to therapy. Lois Shawver notes that from now on "there is no going to a master for a final answer." (reviewed by Gerald K. Rubin, MSW, Ph.D., Las Vegas, Nevada).

This DVD is fun to watch and also provides serious theoretical instruction. Anyone new to the philosophy of later Wittgenstein, or the postmodern philosophy of Jean-Francois Lyotard would do well to begin with this DVD.

While the information provided may be engaging in a discussion after viewing, the production value of this movie is absolutely horrible. Filmed in someone's backyard, the noises of the cars and birds in the background are incredibly distracting, and the actors tend to flub their lines quite a bit. Granted, I understand that the message that is being relayed through the movie is key in understanding the role postmodernism plays in relation to therapy, but the shoddy workmanship that went into this detracts from the message. It was painful to sit through.

This DVD is a very good supplement for introducing, as well as comparing, the ideas of Wittgenstein and Lyotard to graduate students and others. It helps make their ideas and the terms that they use -- often experienced as complex -- more accessible and brings them to life. I use it to supplement chapters in the following books:Collaborative Therapy: Relationships And Conversations That Make a Differenceand Conversation Language and Possibilities: A Postmodern Approach to Therapy.

While the topic may be interesting, the production quality and the script are substandard; could it be a beginner acting class production?

I am very disappointed with this purchase.