Critical Research On Baudrillard’s Theory Of "Simulation"

Baudrillard was one of the most impressive,also the most controversial theorists in the contemporary western world.His thoughts about the consumer society and the symbol system in the early days provided an unique perspective for the research of capitalist society’s new situation.His work about "the political economy of the sign" has injected new vitality for the classical Marxist critique of the political economy.In the 1970 s,Baudrillard interpreted the change of the forms of social interaction caused by the information and media technology with his new concept and category,which provoked the orthodox views which occupied a dominant position.Baudrillard’s thoughts and theories were out of the way of discourse and horizon for modern society,and he became an advocator of the postmodernity.The theory of "simulation" based on the insight into the dilemma of modernity is the systemic theory with postmodern color constructed by Baudrillard.He used "simulation" 、 "implosion" 、 "hyperreal" and other concept to describe the postmodern society which was leaded by science、technology and electronic media.Models and codes became the new creator.Electronic media and biological reproduction were interpreted as the main simulation machine.The simulation of codes was full of every corner in the public daily life,and became a new control mode of contemporary capitalist society.The public as the social subjects was cleared as the "silent majority",and even led to " the end of the society".Baudrillard’s theory of "simulation" added semiotics and cultural dimensionality for Marx’s social critical theory.He researched the life of symbols in the postmodern society,and the perspective and methods provided new enlightenment for the innovation and development of Marxist.At the same time,the theory of "simulation" reveals the disadvantages of the present capitalism.In this sense,Baudrillard’s peculiar and profound critique to the capitalism is the inheritance and continuity of critical theory of Marxism.But Baudrillard only stayed in the theoretical construction,which made his critical theory become abstract and empty.So his theory could not dialyse the essence of the contemporary capitalist society at all,and it even unable to change the existing social conditions.