Selected Writings on Western Social Theory in the 20th Century: The Political Division of Social Theory

Author: Su Guoxun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The political division of social theory, the epistemological construction of social theory, the various theories of social theory, the beginning and end of social theory. Social sciences only took shape in modern times, and although they now constitute one of the three major academic divisions alongside so-called "natural sciences" and "humanities," they hold a much more prominent position in cultural and educational systems and political structures. Social sciences generally refer to the collective designation of specific disciplines that concern "society." Social theory does not directly equate to social sciences but rather serves as the theoretical foundation for the knowledge of these numerous and diverse specific disciplines. The identity of social theorists is somewhat akin to the "poets" of ancient Greece, the "theologians" of the Middle Ages, and the "metaphysicians" of modern times, all of whom attempted to provide teachable "absolute knowledge" by taking a comprehensive view. Recognizing the nature of Western learning has been an inescapable historical task for Chinese scholars since the late Qing Dynasty. Compiling this anthology is part of our effort to inherit the unfinished legacy of our predecessors. The anthology includes works by major social theorists but primarily features articles by recent Western social theorists who discuss, analyze, and reflect on this modern form of "absolute knowledge." It is divided into four parts:
Part 1: The Beginning and End of Social Theory
Part 2: The Various Theories of Social Theory
Part 3: The Epistemological Construction of Social Theory
Part 4: The Political Division of Social Theory