Foucault Contra Habermas: Recasting the Dialogue between Genealogy and Critical Theory (Philosophy and Social Criticism series)

Foucault contra Habermas is an incisive examination of, and a comprehensive introduction to, the debate between Foucault and Habermas over the meaning of enlightenment and modernity. It reprises the key issues in the argument between critical theory and genealogy and is organised around three complementary themes: defining the context of the debate; examining the theoretical and conceptual tools used; and discussing the implications for politics and criticism. In a detailed reply to Habermas′ Philosophical Discourse of Modernity, this volume explains the difference between Habermas′ philosophical practice and Foucault′s between the analytics of truth and the politics of truth. Many of the most difficult arguments in the exchange are subject to a detailed critical analysis. This examination also includes discussion of the ethics of dialogue; the practice of criticism; the politics of recognition, and the function of civil society and democracy.

Foucault contra Habermas is an incisive examination of, and a comprehensive introduction to, the debate between Foucault and Habermas over the meaning of enlightenment and modernity. It reprises the key issues in the argument between critical theory and genealogy and is organised around three complementary themes: defining the context of the debate; examining the theoretical and conceptual tools used; and discussing the implications for politics and criticism.

In a detailed reply to Habermas' Philosophical Discourse of Modernity, this volume explains the difference between Habermas' philosophical practice (the transcendental critique) and Foucault's (the historical 'exercise'), between the analytics of truth and the politics of truth. Many of the most difficult arguments in the exchange are subject to a detailed critical analysis. This examination also includes discussion of the ethics of dialogue; the practice of criticism; the politics of recognition , and the function of civil society and democracy.

Lucid and accessible - comprising the work of a diverse international and interdisciplinary group of scholars - Foucault contra Habermas will be essential reading for students of Social Theory; Politics; and Philosophy.

"In a detailed reply to the Philosophical Discourse of Modernity and critical theory, this volume explains the difference between Habermas' philosophical practice of critique and Foucault's genealogy, between the analytics of truth and the politics of truth. Many of the most difficult arguments in the exchange - understanding the history of the present; the function of normative criticism; the relation between relativism and universalism - are subject to critical analysis. The contributors also discuss the ethics of dialogue; the practice of criticism, the politics of recognition; and the function of civil society and democracy." "Comprising the work of an international and interdisciplinary group of scholars, this accessible book will be essential reading for students of social theory, politics and philosophy."--BOOK JACKET. The contributors to this volume extend, expound and explain the key areas of social theory debated between Foucault and Habermas: the meaning of modernity; the function of reason; and the importance of political freedom. They provide detailed discussion and definition of difficult themes in each theorist's work, reframing the issues and defining the context of the debate. They also explore the theoretical and conceptual methods used and discuss the implications for politics and criticism The contributors to this volume extend, expound and explain the key areas of social theory debated between Foucault and Habermas: the meaning of modernity; the function of reason; and the importance of political freedom. They reframe the issues and define the context of the debate The contributors to this volume extend, expound and explain the key areas of social theory long debated between Foucault and Habermas. They cover the meaning of modernity, the function of reason and the importance of political freedom The contributors to this innovative volume extend, expound and explain the key areas of social theory long debated between Foucault and Habermas.