The author is one of Europe's foremost philosophers. His earlier work The Postmodern Condition is widely regarded as a modern classic. This book develops his analysis of the phenomenon of postmodernity. The author is one of Europe's foremost philosophers.

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.