Postmodern Theory and Progressive Politics by Thomas De Zengotita

Postmodern Theory and Progressive Politics by Thomas De Zengotita

This book explores the origins of the academic culture wars of the late 20th century and examines their lasting influence on the humanities and progressive politics.  It puts us in a position to ask this question: what to make now of those furious debates over postmodernism, multiculturalism, relativism, critical theory, deconstruction, post-structuralism, and all the rest? In an effort to arrive at a fair judgment on that question, the book reaches for an understanding of postmodern theorists by way of two genres they despised and hopes, for that very reason, to do them justice. It tells a story, and in the telling, advances two basic claims: first, that the phenomenological/hermeneutical tradition is the most suitable source of theory for a humanism that aspires to be universal; and, second, that the ethical and political aspect of the human condition is authentically accessible only through narrative. In conclusion, it argues that the postmodern moment was a necessary one, or will have been if we rise to the occasion and seize the opportunity it offers: a truly universal humanism might yet be realized even in—or perhaps especially in—this atavistic hour of parochial populism.

Thomas de Zengotita teaches at the Dalton School, USA, and New York University's Draper Interdisciplinary Master's Program, USA. He is a contributing editor at Harper's Magazine. He holds a PhD in anthropology from Columbia University, USA.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9783030080747
ISBN 10	3030080749
Title	Postmodern Theory and Progressive Politics
Author	Thomas De Zengotita
Series	Political Philosophy And Public Purpose
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Year published	2019-01-19
Number of pages	393
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.