Critical theory and epistemology: The politics of modern thought and science

Description

This volume in the Critical Theory and Contemporary Society series explores the arguments between critical theory and epistemology in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Focusing on the first and second generations of critical theorists and Luhmann’s systems theory, the book examines how each approaches epistemology. It opens by looking at twentieth-century epistemology, particularly the concept of lifeworld (Lebenswelt). It then moves on to discuss structuralism, poststructuralism, critical realism, the epistemological problematics of Foucault’s writings and the dialectics of systems theory. The aim is to explore whether the focal point for epistemology and the sciences remain that social and political interests actually form a concrete point of concern for the sciences as well. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Epigraph Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgements Introduction Is there a winter of epistemological discontent? The first generation of critical theorists: Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse The second generation: Habermas The lasting impact of critical theory on epistemology Notes 1 Phenomenology and hermeneutics Introduction Phenomenology and hermeneutics: the modern passage to epistemology Phenomenology: Husserl, his predecessors and the epigones Phenomenology, ethnomethodology and beyond The question of truth: a hermeneutical understanding? Conclusions Notes 2 Structuralism and poststructuralism Introduction Structuralism and poststructuralism: The understanding of science that dares not speak its name A science of practices? The way to scientific truth Truth based on self-referential reason Conclusions Notes 3 Modernism and postmodernism Introduction Foucault: the catcher in the modern rye The politics of science in Foucault Towards a redefinition of modernity Foucault to postmodernism: Poor fool! No wiser than before!17 Conclusions Notes 4 Systems theory Introduction Luhmann: farewell to the dialectic arms or the contingent steps towards knowledge Rationality without reason Form versus norm? Another modernity? Conclusions Notes 5 Critical realism Introduction Critical realism: the painted veil of dialectics The trickle-down theory of dialectics The double negation of dialectics The unity of theory and practice in practice Conclusions Notes Conclusions Notes Bibliography Index