Literary Theory and the Claims of History: Postmodernism, Objectivity, Multicultural Politics
by Satya P. Mohanty
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At the core of postmodern thought, especially in literary theory, is the belief that such ideals as truth, reason, and objectivity are social constructs that have no universal or trans-historical validity. In exploring this constructivist view, Satya P. Mohanty examines its underlying epistemological claims and their social and political implications. His book points the way toward a critical alternative to the epistemological and cultural relativisms.Mohanty grounds his critique in readings show more of some of the major figures of postmodernism, including Paul de Man, Louis Althusser, Fredric Jameson, and Jacques Derrida and analyzes the views of Mikhail Bakhtin, C. S. Peirce, Hilary Putnam, and Richard Rorty, particularly their notions of language and referentiality. Mohanty defends a post-positivist realist conception of objectivity as a legitimate ideal of all inquiry. He outlines a realist theory of social identity and multicultural politics which sees radical moral universalism and cultural diversity as complementary-not competing-ideals. show lessTags
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5 Works 49 Members
Satya P. Mohanty is a Professor of English at Cornell University. His book, Literary Theory and the Claims of History, argues for a post-positivist realist theory of culture and literature and introduces a new theory of social identity, especially minority identity. He is one of the founders of the Future of Minority Studies (FMS) Research Project show more and the founding director of the FMS Summer Institute (established in 2005). He has co-edited Identity Politics Reconsidered and The Future of Diversity, both also from Palgrave. show less
Classifications
- Genres
- Literature Studies and Criticism, Nonfiction, Fiction and Literature, Philosophy
- DDC/MDS
- 801.95 — Literature & rhetoric Literature, rhetoric & criticism Philosophy and theory Nature and character Literary theory and criticism
- LCC
- PN94 .M65 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Criticism
- BISAC
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- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
