This is an introductory account of social theory and the central role of enlightenment within it. Tom Osborne argues that: contemporary social theory can only fail when viewed as a "science of society", and rather than focusing upon the question of society or even "modernity" should focus on the question of human nature. The most immediate and central topic of such a social theory should be the question of enlightenment.; However, the book departs from traditional accounts locating the vocation of social theory in the system of values established in the original Enlightenment by the French philosophers and others.; Rather it makes a strong argument for the ethical status of enlightenment, going on to analyze particular "regimes of enlightenment" in modernity, namely those associated with the social ethics of science, expertise, intellect and art.

About the Author
Thomas Osborne is Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Bristol. His work in the fields of critical theory, epistemology and the history and sociology of medicine has appeared in Economy and Society, The Journal of Historical Sociology, Social Studies of Science, Social Science and Medicine, and History of the Human Sciences.

Reviews

'This is an original, not to say daring, book which has much to offer anyone uneasy about current trends in social theory.' - Alasdair Pettinger

Book Information
ISBN 9781857288537
Author Thomas Osbourne
Format Paperback
Page Count 323
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g