Dialectics of social space

Author: Liu Senlin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: This book explores the dialectical issues in the social world starting from the "contradictions" inherent in modernity. The direct point of departure for this book's reflections is the following questions: As one of the central terms in Hegelianism and Marxist social theory, which inherited its dialectics, can the concept of "contradiction" still be used in contemporary social theory to explain the development of today's society? The concept of "contradiction" has long been regarded as the core of dialectics and is still considered one of the six focal points of the debate between structural Marxism and Hegelian Marxism by Jameson. Does it need to be rethought within dialectics and Marxist theory? Is it, as Popper suggests, merely a logical concept applicable only to the history of thought, particularly the history of philosophy? Or, as Adorno and Jameson argue, can and should the term "contradiction" be used beyond logic in social reality, and is it a way of shirking responsibility to attribute contradictions to incurable speculative obstinacy? What is the state of "contradiction" in the context of equality, group solidarity, and modern institutions? How should the "alienation" of "contradiction," a special "contradiction" of the times that has attracted much attention, be understood? What is the relationship between "contradiction" and the "totality," a concept of great concern to Western Marxism? Following these confusions and questions, we enter into this book.