Overview

Argues that the tradition of critical theory has had significant problems dealing with the concept of nature and that their solutions require taking seriously the idea of nature as socially constructed.

Full Product Details

Author:   Steven Vogel
Publisher:   State University of New York Press
Imprint:   State University of New York Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.481kg
ISBN:  

9780791430453

ISBN 10:   0791430456
Pages:   225
Publication Date:   03 July 1996
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Introduction Chapter 1 The Problem of Nature in Lukacs 1. The Problem 2. Marxism and the Dialectics of Nature 3. Reification and Self-Recognition 4. The Problem Restated Chapter 2 Nature and Reification 1. The Critique of Nature 2. Ambiguities 3. Science and Reification Chapter 3 Horkheimer, Adorno, and the Dialectics of Enlightenment 1. Enlightenment and the Domination of Nature 2. Three Dialectics of Enlightenment 3. Nature's Return Chapter 4 Adorno and Nature as the Nonidentical 1. Nonidentity and the Primacy of the Object 2. Reification and the Nonidentical 3. Nature and Nonidentity 4. The Paradoxes of Art 5. The Road Not Taken Chapter 5 Marcuse, Habermas, and the Retreat to Nature 1. Marcuse and the New Science 2. Habermas on Knowledge and Interest 3. Two Problems 4. Interests and ""Interests"" 5. Science, Discourse, and Dualism 6. Science and Self-Reflection Chapter 6 Towards a Communicative Theory of Nature 1. Ethics and Communication 2. The Problem of Nature in a Discourse Ethics 3. ""Can They Talk?"": Language and Anthropocentrism 4. An Ethics of the Built World 5. Concluding Remarks Notes Works Cited Index

Reviews

Vogel's book lies at the intersection of three important fields: Marxist Critical Theory, postempiricist philosophy and sociology of science, and environmental ethics. It is truly excellent. The argument is original and convincing. The project of relating the Western Marxist tradition to contemporary trends in philosophy of science and environmental ethics enriches all three fields. -Andrew Feenberg, San Diego State University This is a stunningly good piece of work on a crucial problem within an influential tradition in twentieth-century philosophy. Vogel's book promises to be the definitive scholarly assessment of the problems and opportunities facing a Critical Theory of nature and science. Vogel sorts out the issues clearly and persuasively, showing how a fundamental, debilitating dilemma recurs throughout the tradition, yet also sympathetically displaying the strengths and accomplishments of each of the major figures, and suggesting a persuasive approach to avoiding the dilemma without abandoning the tradition's most basic commitments. All of the Critical Theorists are notoriously difficult writers, yet Vogel's own prose is a model of how to write philosophy accessibly. -Joseph Rouse, Wesleyan University Vogel's book will immediately become the center of productive debate, since he uses such forceful arguments to slay a number of sacred cows. It will make him a major figure in his field. -Michael Zimmerman, Tulane University In this reader's opinion, this book meets the highest standards of scholarly excellence, argumentative rigor, interpretive originality, and literary accomplishment. -David Ingram, Loyola University of Chicago

""Vogel's book lies at the intersection of three important fields: Marxist Critical Theory, postempiricist philosophy and sociology of science, and environmental ethics. It is truly excellent. The argument is original and convincing. The project of relating the Western Marxist tradition to contemporary trends in philosophy of science and environmental ethics enriches all three fields.""-Andrew Feenberg, San Diego State University ""This is a stunningly good piece of work on a crucial problem within an influential tradition in twentieth-century philosophy. Vogel's book promises to be the definitive scholarly assessment of the problems and opportunities facing a Critical Theory of nature and science. Vogel sorts out the issues clearly and persuasively, showing how a fundamental, debilitating dilemma recurs throughout the tradition, yet also sympathetically displaying the strengths and accomplishments of each of the major figures, and suggesting a persuasive approach to avoiding the dilemma without abandoning the tradition's most basic commitments. All of the Critical Theorists are notoriously difficult writers, yet Vogel's own prose is a model of how to write philosophy accessibly.""-Joseph Rouse, Wesleyan University ""Vogel's book will immediately become the center of productive debate, since he uses such forceful arguments to slay a number of sacred cows. It will make him a major figure in his field.""-Michael Zimmerman, Tulane University ""In this reader's opinion, this book meets the highest standards of scholarly excellence, argumentative rigor, interpretive originality, and literary accomplishment.""-David Ingram, Loyola University of Chicago

Author Information

Steven Vogel is Professor of Philosophy at Denison University.

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