This book is an introduction to the nature of modernity as
envisioned by Germany's leading social theorist of the late
twentieth century, Niklas Luhmann. For Luhmann, modernity is
neither an Enlightenment project nor a ludic rejection of that
project, but rather the pre-condition of all our deliberations, the
structure within which our semantics makes sense, even as we think
we celebrate (or mourn) its passing. Rather than viewing modernity
as a disease for which we seek a cure, Luhmann poses it as a
question to which we continually devise incomplete and partial
answers. When we grow impatient with the contingency and
indeterminacy that is thus forced upon us and seek solace in
community, religion (orthodox or civic), consensus, and a universal
vision of the good life, we grow impatient with modernity itself.
The book injects concepts derived from Luhmann's influential
systems theory (complexity, contingency, and enforced selectivity;
system differentiation, self-referential closure, and autopoiesis)
into debates about modernity and postmodernity, constructivist and
foundationalist epistemologies, the relationship between politics
and ethics, and the possibilities of interdisciplinary work that
spans the great divide between science and the humanities.
Delighting in Luhmann's provocatively cool and dispassionate
bursting of cherished balloons, the book stages challenging
engagements with such thinkers as Jurgen Habermas, Jacques Derrida,
Jean-Francois Lyotard, Drucilla Cornell, Judith Butler, Michel
Serres, N. Katherine Hayles, and such political theorists as
Chantal Mouffe and Carl Schmitt. The irrepressibility of paradox
emerges as a stubborn feature of all of these confrontations.
The book closes with two interviews: one a discussion with Luhmann
and Hayles on epistemology, the other with Luhmann on the
functional differentiation of modern society.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
