Selected Writings on Western Social Theory in the 20th Century: The Beginning and End of Social Theory

Author: Su Guoxun, edited by Liu Xiaofeng
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Social sciences only emerged in modern times, yet today, despite being divided into the so-called "natural sciences," "humanities," and "social sciences" in academic fields, they occupy a more prominent position in cultural and educational systems and political structures. Social sciences generally refer to the collective term for various disciplines concerned with "society." Social theory does not directly equate to social sciences but rather serves as the theoretical foundation for these diverse and numerous disciplines. The identity of a social theorist is somewhat akin to the "poets" of ancient Greece, the "theologians" of the Middle Ages, and the "metaphysicians" of the modern era—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: Theories of Social Theory
Part 3: The Epistemological Construction of Social Theory
Part 4: The Political Division of Social Theory