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

Author: Su Guoxun, edited by Liu Xiaofeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: Social sciences only emerged in modern times, yet today, although they share the academic field with what are called "natural sciences" and "humanities," they occupy a much more prominent position in educational and cultural systems and political structures. Social sciences generally refer to the collective term for various disciplines that concern "society." Social theory does not directly equate to social sciences but rather serves as the theoretical foundation for these diverse and numerous specific 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 overview. Recognizing the nature of Western learning has been an inescapable historical task for Chinese scholars since the late Qing Dynasty. The compilation of 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 One: The Beginning and End of Social Theory
Part Two: The Theories of Social Theory
Part Three: The Epistemological Construction of Social Theory
Part Four: The Political Division of Social Theory