The Scent of Post Modernism

Recently, I had the opportunity to rewatch the film "Scent of a Woman." If you haven’t seen it, it stars Al Pacino as Frank Slade, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who, due to a tragic military accident, has lost his sight. The movie explores the ethical dilemma of suicide, all within the backdrop of a postmodern context. The film tries to squeeze some value from human life in a world absent of any metaphysical belief.

The Power of Materialism

As the story unfolds, we discover that Frank Slade has made the decision to end his own life, after experiencing a weekend of indulgence in the vibrant city of New York. When confronted by Charlie Simms, a compassionate prep school student played by Chris O'Donnell, Frank asks for a reason to keep on living. In response, all Charlie can muster are two weak materialistic commodities. He highlights Frank's remarkable skills in tango dancing and driving a Ferrari, suggesting that these simple pleasures are what make life worth living. Frank, I know life is hard but hey, you sure can dance. It’s genuinely convincing.

A Shift in Ethical Guidance

In a different era, Frank Slade might have received guidance reminiscent of George Bailey's in "It's a Wonderful Life." Perhaps a guardian angel or a wise priest would have shown him the beauty and significance of life, helping him rediscover his purpose and the positive impact he can still make in the world. However, in the film's 1992 setting, material luxuries seem to take center stage as the ultimate source of fulfillment and happiness. This reduction of life's worth to materialism aligns with the decline of meta-narratives, a crucial aspect of postmodernism.

From a traditional Christian perspective, this reductionist approach to the value of life raises concerns about the impact of postmodernism on ethical discourse. Catholic teachings emphasize the intrinsic dignity and sanctity of every human life, rooted in the belief that life is a precious gift from God (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2258). By reducing life's worth to worldly pleasures, "Scent of a Woman" undermines this fundamental principle, neglecting the deeper philosophical and moral dimensions that have historically guided ethical deliberation within Catholic thought.

Postmodernism, influenced by thinkers such as Jean Baudrillard, Jean-François Lyotard, and Charles Jencks, challenges the traditional Catholic understanding of objective moral values rooted in natural law and divine revelation. Baudrillard argues that in a hyperreal society, where simulacra and signs replace reality, the boundaries between the real and the imaginary blur, leading to a loss of meaning and a sense of emptiness (Baudrillard, 1988). In his work "The Postmodern Condition," Lyotard asserts that postmodernism is characterized by skepticism toward grand narratives and fragmentation of knowledge, resulting in a multiplicity of language games and localized truths (Lyotard, 1984). Jencks, in "The Language of Post-Modern Architecture," explores how postmodernism challenges modernist ideals by embracing pastiche, irony, and historical references (Jencks, 1984).

From a Christain perspective, the rejection of universal moral truths and the fragmentation of truth advocated by postmodernism can lead to moral relativism, where ethical standards become purely subjective and contingent upon individual preferences and societal norms. Catholicism, on the other hand, asserts that there are objective moral truths that transcend individual perspectives and cultural relativism. The Catholic moral framework, guided by natural law and the teachings of the Church, provides a solid foundation for addressing complex ethical dilemmas, such as suicide, by recognizing the inherent worth and purpose of human life and the call to love and care for one another.

Furthermore, the film's emphasis on materialistic pleasures reflects the broader cultural influence of postmodernism, which often promotes consumerism and a self-centered mindset. For Chritians, life's meaning and fulfillment extend beyond pursuing transient pleasures and material wealth. Catholic teachings emphasize the importance of self-sacrifice, virtuous living, and the pursuit of spiritual goods as essential elements of a meaningful life (Veritatis Splendor, 21).

In evaluating the deeply flawed ethical dilemmas depicted in "Scent of a Woman," it becomes evident that the pervasive influence of postmodernism, as propagated by the likes of Baudrillard, Lyotard, and Jencks, represents a dangerous assault on traditional values and moral foundations. The relentless rejection of universal moral truths and the deliberate fragmentation of truth characteristic of postmodern thought serves as a corrosive force, corroding the very essence of human dignity and undermining the sanctity of life championed by Catholic teachings.

The film's lamentable emphasis on materialistic hedonism and the pursuit of selfish pleasures epitomizes the hollow and empty ethos fostered by postmodernism, callously disregarding the profound spiritual and moral dimensions that have historically guided ethical discourse within the Catholic/Christian tradition. It is an imperative duty to vehemently criticize the pernicious influence of postmodernism, resolutely upholding the enduring principles of Christianity, deeply rooted in natural law and divine revelation, which alone offer a solid foundation for meaningful ethical deliberation and the preservation of the intrinsic worth of every human being.

-TJS

References:

• Baudrillard, J. (1988). Selected Writings. Stanford University Press.

• Brest, M. (Director). (1992). Scent of a Woman [Film]. Universal Pictures.

• Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1994). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

• Jencks, C. (1984). The Language of Post-Modern Architecture. Rizzoli.

• Lyotard, J. F. (1984). The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. University of Minnesota Press.

• Veritatis Splendor. (1993). Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.