Critical Social Theory: Prophetic Reason, Civil Society, and Christian Imagination

by Gary M. Simpson

Overview

Critical theory explained and espousedSimpson ably introduces critical social theory, the German-born intellectual movement that has spawned sharp criticisms of modernity, its use of reason, and our highly technological, bureaucratic culture. Part 1 recounts the emergence of critical social theory within the Frankfurt School of Social Research and the theological stirrings that the Frankfurt project sparked, especially in Paul Tillich. Part 2 explores Jrgen Habermas' reconception and expansion of critical social theory, especially his ideas about hermeneutics, praxis, communicative action, and civil society as the locus of prophetic social movements. Finally, in Part 3 Simpson shows how Christian theology employs critical social theory for the tasks of prophetic reason in a global civil society.

Simpson's work is at once a programmatic introduction and a creative theological proposal for public theology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780800629168
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	11/07/2001
Series:	Guides to Theological Inquiry
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	178
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Gary M. Simpson is professor of systematic theology at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is the author of Critical Social Theory: Prophetic Reasoning, Civil Society, and Christian Imagination (Fortress Press, 2002, 978-0-8006-2916-8).

Table of Contents

Foreword Paul Lakeland

Preface

Abbreviations

Part One. Critical Social Theory and Christian Imagination-Genesis and Engagement

1. Horkheimer: The Idea of Critical Social Theory

The Genesis of Sociology

Traditional "Positivist" Theory

Toward "Critical" Theory

2. Tillich: Christian Engagement with Critical Social Theory

An Interpretive Conflict

Engagement in Critical Reverence

Rational Criticism and Prophetic Imagination

The Form of Grace and the Protestant Congregation

The Critique of Oracular Prophetism

Part Two. Enter Habermas-The Communicative Imagination

3. Criticism: The Transformation of Critique

Abandoning a Core Conviction

The Critique of Instrumental Reason

The Transformation of Critique

4. Theory: The Theory of Communicative Reason and Action

The Modern Philosophy of the Subject

The Linguistic Turn

The Communicative Paradigm

Communicative Ethics

5. Society: Civil Society and Deliberative Democracy

A Democratic Public Sphere

Lifeworld and Systems

Growing Deliberative Democracy

Part Three. Prophetic Reason and Communicative Imagination

6. Civil Society and Congregations as Prophetic Public Companions

Harvesting the Fruits of Our Inquiry

Setting the Table

Notes

Glossary

Index