Critical Theory and New Materialisms

<p>Bringing together authors from two intellectual traditions that have so far generally developed independently of one another – critical theory and new materialism – this book addresses the fundamental differences and potential connections that exist between these two schools of thought. With a focus on some of the most pressing questions of contemporary philosophy and social theory – in particular those concerning the status of long-standing and contested separations between matter and life the biological and the symbolic passivity and agency affectivity and rationality – it shows that recent developments in both traditions point to important convergences between them and thus prepare the ground for a more direct confrontation and cross-fertilization. The first volume to promote a dialogue between critical theory and new materialism this collection explores the implications for contemporary debates on ecology gender biopolitics post-humanism economics and aesthetics. As such it will appeal to philosophers social and political theorists and sociologists with interests in contemporary critical theory and materialism.</p>