Postmodernity

ISBN-13: 9780415069618 / Angielski / Miękka / 1992 / 176 str.

Barry Smart

Opis

Postmodernity explores the key issues that arise in debates over modernity and postmodernity. It aims to provide students with a stimulating and accessible introduction to both the contentious notion of postmodernity and the major themes and issues addressed in associated debates over the limits of modernity. Discussion ranges widely across the social, economic, political and cultural institutions and practices with which the idea of postmodernity has been articulated. Consideration is given to the cultural configuration of postmodernism and the related notion of poststructuralism. The focus of analysis is on postmodernity, and the possible emergence of new social, political and cultural configurations signifying a breach from modernity; a new condition or mood; or a distinctly critical way of facing up to modern forms of life. Special attention is devoted to the analysis of new times and processes of globalization with which a condition of postmodernity has been associated. Another major theme of the text is the implication of postmodern conditions for knowledge, sociology, politics and social life.

Recenzje

'His short book is an extremely useful introduction to the debates surrounding postmodernism ...' - Social Science Teacher

'Barry Smart's book is written for students ... it manages to present conflicting theories with neat persuasiveness while making the author's reservations clear.' - The Modern Review

'This is an illuminating, sober and knowledge-enhancing account which may well be a milestone in the twisted road of our times to self-understanding ... [Smart's] feat will be welcomed by thousands of professionals, students and members of the enlightened public alike. Smart renders a priceless service to his readers, having digested on their behalf the enormous literature and sifted out everything valuable and important. Smart's 'career report' of the debate is comprehensive, critical yet fair, and expressed in jargon-free language.' - Zygmunt Bauman, Political Studies

Spis treści

Acknowledgements 1. New Times, Old Troubles 2. The Disorder of Things 3. Sociology, Ethics and the Present 4. Modern Reason, Postmodern Imagination 5. Heretical Discourse 6. Global Conditions and Controversies, References

O autorze

Barry Smart