Critical Encounters

<p><em>Critical Encounters</em> a study of contemporary philosophy and political and social theory inserts itself into ongoing conversations at the junctures of philosophy and political thought and modernity and post-modernism. Through dialogue and critique Fred R. Dallmayr seeks to find a viable path for political theory in the midst of contemporary discussions in philosophy and the social sciences discussions influenced or overshadowed by twentieth-century phenomenology hermeneutics critical theory structuralism pragmatism and deconstruction.</p><p>Dallmayr's perspective is delivered not as direct exposition but through a series of critical encounters with some of the leading spokesmen of contemporary thought. His path points in the direction of a political theory construed as practical ontology or a pragmatism with ontological overtones. Dallmayr presupposes that such a renewed ontology can be articulated as only a strand in a larger conversational fabric. Against this weave he profiles his critical responses and engaging dialogues.</p><p>Among the voices to which Dallmayr responds are: Apel's linguistic foundationalism; Habermas's bifurcation of instrumental system and life-world; Ricoeur's phenomenological antinomies; Gadamer's lingering hermeneutical idealism; Derrida's preference for nihilation of being; Bernstein's Deweyan pragmatism; and Macintyre's pragmatic traditionalism. Among contemporary social and political theorists attention is given to Giddens Luhmann and Theunissen.</p>