In this major study, now available in paperback, Lyotard develops his analysis of the phenomenon of postmodernity, and examines the philosophy of Kant, Heidegger, Adorno and Derrida. Lyotard claims that it is the task of literature, philosophy and the arts to bear witness to and explain the links between modernity, progress and humanity, and the difficult transition to postmodernity.

Jean- François Lyotard was considered to be one of the architects of postmodernity and is the author of many books published in both French and English.