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Critical Conditions: Postmodernity and the Question of Foundations
Hardback
Main Details
Title |
Critical Conditions: Postmodernity and the Question of Foundations
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Authors and Contributors |
By (author) Horace L. Fairlamb
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Series | Literature, Culture, Theory |
Physical Properties |
Format:Hardback | Pages:286 | Dimensions(mm): Height 216,Width 140 |
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Category/Genre | Literary theory |
ISBN/Barcode |
9780521450478
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Classifications | Dewey:801 |
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Audience | Professional & Vocational | |
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Publishing Details |
Publisher |
Cambridge University Press
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Imprint |
Cambridge University Press
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Publication Date |
26 May 1994 |
Publication Country |
United Kingdom
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Description
The postmodern debate has been heavily influenced by often contradictory conclusions about the foundations of knowledge: hermeneutics challenges epistemology, politics challenges science, identity theory challenges critical theory, pragmatism challenges formalism, and so on. Horace Fairlamb contends that philosophy's foundationist quest has usually been misconceived as a choice between a 'super-science' and theoretical anarchy. Through an examination of the history of foundationism, and detailed analysis of the work of leading theorists including Fish, Foucault, Derrida, Gadamer and Habermas, Dr Fairlamb argues for a less reductive and less arbitrary conception of knowledge and meaning. The result is a sophisticated critique of contemporary theory with implications for philosophers as well as literary theorists, and an important contribution to the current re-evaluation of theoretical discourse.
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