
After Poststructuralism
Reading, Stories, Theory
Colin Davis(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 23. October 2003
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-415-31609-5 (ISBN)
Description
In the last decades of the twentieth century, French poststructuralist 'theory' transformed the humanities; it also met with resistance and today we frequently hear that theory is 'dead'.
In this brilliantly argued volume, Colin Davis:
*reconsiders key arguments for and against theory, identifying significant misreadings
*reassesses the contribution of poststructuralist thought to the critical issues of knowledge, ethics, hope and identity
*sheds new light on the work of Jean-Francois Lyotard, Emmanuel Levinas, Louis Althusser and Julia Kristeva in a stunning series of readings
*offers a fresh perspective on recent debates around the death of theory.
In closing he argues that theory may change, but it will not go away. After poststructuralism, then, comes the afterlife of poststructuralism.
Wonderfully accessible, this is an account of the past and present fortunes of theory, suitable for anyone researching, teaching, or studying in the field. And yet it is much more than this. Colin Davis provides a way forward for the humanities - a way forward in which theory will play a crucial part.
In this brilliantly argued volume, Colin Davis:
*reconsiders key arguments for and against theory, identifying significant misreadings
*reassesses the contribution of poststructuralist thought to the critical issues of knowledge, ethics, hope and identity
*sheds new light on the work of Jean-Francois Lyotard, Emmanuel Levinas, Louis Althusser and Julia Kristeva in a stunning series of readings
*offers a fresh perspective on recent debates around the death of theory.
In closing he argues that theory may change, but it will not go away. After poststructuralism, then, comes the afterlife of poststructuralism.
Wonderfully accessible, this is an account of the past and present fortunes of theory, suitable for anyone researching, teaching, or studying in the field. And yet it is much more than this. Colin Davis provides a way forward for the humanities - a way forward in which theory will play a crucial part.
Reviews / Votes
"Davis reminds us that poststructuralism doesn't spell the death of philosophy or of Western civilization; rather, poststructuralism holds the door open to allow new questions to enter the unfinished project of modernity." -- David Bockoven, Postmodern CultureMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
291 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-31609-5 (9780415316095)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
03/2004
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download

E-Book
03/2004
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download

Book
10/2003
1st Edition
Routledge
€205.90
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Colin Davis is Professor of French Studies at the University of Warwick. His publications include Levinas: An Introduction (1996), Ethical Issues in Twentieth-Century French Fiction (2000) and French Fiction in the Mitterrand Years (with Elizabeth Fallaize, 2000).
Content
Introduction 1 Impostures of French theory 2 Enlightenment/poststructuralism 3 After knowledge: Lyotard and the postmodern condition 4 After ethics: Levinas without stories 5 After hope: Althusser on reading and self-reading 6 After identity: Kristeva's life stories 7 Spectres of theory