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Postmodern Theory and Progressive Politics
This book examines the lasting influence of the academic culture wars of the late 20th century on the humanities and progressive politics, and what to make now of those furious debates over postmodernism, multiculturalism, relativism, critical theory, deconstruction, post-structuralism, and so on. 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 reason, to do them justice. The story, in its telling, justifies two basic claims: first, that the phenomenological/hermeneutical tradition is the most suitable source of theory for a humanism that aspires to be truly 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 that that is its historical significance.
1. Introduction: Phenomenology, Ideal Types, Narrative -- Part I Essential Background -- 2. The Situation of the Modern Subject -- Part II Modernism -- 3. New Authorities, Works, and Disciplines -- 4. Phenomenology -- 5. The Linguistic Turn -- Part III Masters of Suspicion -- 6. Marx, Freud, Nietzsche -- 7. Critical Theory -- Part IV Postmodern Undoings -- 8. The Mood of the Moment -- 9. Texts and Bodies -- 10. The Anglophone Reception of French Theory: Literary Criticism, Cultural Studies, American Pragmatism, Identity Politics -- 11. Before the Annunciation Came the Virtual -- 12. Conclusion: Toward a New Humanism.