Abstract

The paper discusses the category "sublime" as it was used by J.-F. Lyotard. The author argues that Lyotard had made substantial change in the category's content regardless to the history of aesthetics. Lyotard's notion falls in line with notions "differentiation", "ope_ness", "indefinite", "paradoxical", "contradictory", etc. If it is to describe postmo_dern culture, the sublime must be accompanied by other notions, and particularly by notions as "mimesis", "form", "originality", "aesthetic norm", and "catharsis". In accordance with the current developments in Euro-Atlantic culture the author argues that "sublime" is less valid for description now than it was before. Current culture is changing - it prefers norms and canons much wider than during last two decades. The time we were opened to tolerance and differences, is probably over, therefore, the author argues, the postmodern time has come to its end.