Detraditionalisation

In the post-traditional order of postmodernity—even within the most modernised contemporary societies—traditions have not entirely disappeared. In fact, in certain respects and contexts, they flourish. Yet, in what sense or in what aspect do traditions persist in the postmodern world?

In a schematic sense, the answer may be framed as follows:

In the postmodern world, traditions—whether ancient or newly emerging—exist within one of two structures.

Traditions may be discursively articulated and defended—in other words, justified—as having value within a universe of competing and pluralistic values. They may be upheld on their own terms or contrasted against others, or engaged within a more dialogical context. Within such a framework, reflexivity may assume many levels—such as in those defences of religion that highlight the difficulties of living in a world marked by radical doubt.

A discursive defence of tradition does not necessarily entail the formulation of an absolute truth. Its greatest consequence lies in the requirement to prepare for dialogue, while simultaneously suspending the threat of violence. Otherwise, tradition risks transforming into fundamentalism.

In the search for new perspectives, a generous contribution has been offered by semiotics, grounded in the reflections of thinkers such as Umberto Eco, Roland Barthes, among others. Semiotics, moreover, is implicitly embedded—both theoretically and methodologically—in key studies, particularly those associated with postmodern thinkers such as Kevin Lynch. In this view, the city is perceived as a text to be deciphered not only by visitors but also by its own residents, who often find themselves perplexed by the astonishing new discoveries and experiences available to them.

To observe urban centres through a postmodern theoretical lens allows the phenomenon to be unfolded in its constitution as image—that is, the city itself—and in the imaginaries that converge under the notion of the urban. In both the city and the urban—as constructions of meaning—reflection seeks to evaluate the presence, or absence, of a contemporary specificity with regard to time, space, and visuality.

The challenge of such analysis leads us to the essence of the recovery, reconstruction, preservation, and perpetuation of tradition.