The Emergence of Dialectical Theory : Philosophy and Political Inquiry

Scott Warren’s ambitious and enduring work sets out to resolve the ongoing identity crisis of contemporary political inquiry. In the Emergence of Dialectical Theory, Warren begins with a careful analysis of the philosophical foundations of dialectical theory in the thought of Kant, Hegel, and Marx. He then examines how the dialectic functions in the major twentieth-century philosophical movements of existentialism, phenomenology, neomarxism, and critical theory. Numerous major and minor philosophers are discussed, but the emphasis falls on two of the greatest dialectical thinkers of the previous century: Maurice Merleau-Ponty and J?rgen Habermas.Warren’s shrewd critique is indispensable to those interested in the history of social and political thought and the philosophical foundations of political theory. His work offers an alternative for those who find postmodernism to be at a philosophical impasse. “[This book] is stimulating and thought provoking . . . [Warren] has the instinct to raise the right questions.”—Zolt?n Tar, Contemporary Sociology Scott Warren's ambitious and enduring work sets out to resolve the ongoing identity crisis of contemporary political inquiry. In the Emergence of Dialectical Theory, Warren begins with a careful analysis of the philosophical foundations of dialectical theory in the thought of Kant, Hegel, and Marx. He then examines how the dialectic functions in the major twentieth-century philosophical movements of existentialism, phenomenology, neomarxism, and critical theory. Numerous major and minor philosophers are discussed, but the emphasis falls on two of the greatest dialectical thinkers of the previous century: Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Jürgen Habermas. Warren's shrewd critique is indispensable to those interested in the history of social and political thought and the philosophical foundations of political theory. His work offers an alternative for those who find postmodernism to be at a philosophical impasse. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 1 The Recent History of Political Inquiry: Two Leading Views in Political Science......Page 12 2 The Roots of Contemporary Dialectical Theory: Kant, Hegel, and Marx......Page 39 3 The Development of Dialectical Marxism......Page 73 4 The Development of Dialectical Phenomenology......Page 101 5 Contemporary Dialectical Theory: The Confluence of Marxism and Phenomenology......Page 127 6 Contemporary Dialectical Theory: The Voice of Critical Theory......Page 155 7 Prologue to the Future: Dialectical Theory and Political Inquiry......Page 188 Notes......Page 210 Bibliography......Page 248 Index......Page 260 The Recent History Of Political Inquiry: Two Leading Views In Political Science -- The Roots Of Contemporary Dialectical Theory: Kant, Hegel, And Marx -- The Development Of Dialectical Phenomenology -- Contemporary Dialectical Theory: The Confluence Of Marxism And Phenomenology -- Contemporary Dialectical Theory: The Voice Of Critical Theory -- Prologue To The Future: Dialectical Theory And Political Inquiry. Scott Warren. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. 237-247.