The Orders of Discourse: Philosophy, Social Science, and Politics

by John G. Gunnell Rockefeller College of Pu

Overview

In this insightful book, distinguished political scientist John G. Gunnell explores the relationship between social science and philosophy, and the range of problems that have attended this relationship. Gunnell argues that social science has turned to philosophy, especially to areas such as the philosophy of science and other sites of philosophical foundationalism, in search of cognitive identity and the grounds for normative and empirical judgment. Gunnell's emphasis is on political and social theory and the theoretical constitution of social phenomena. The Orders of Discourse will be of interest to political theorists, political philosophers, and social scientists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781461645023
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/06/1998
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	848 KB

About the Author

John G. Gunnell is distinguished professor of political science at SUNY, Albany. He is the author of The Descent of Political Theory: The Genealogy of an American Vocation.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 3 Metapractices
Chapter 4 Conventional Objects
Chapter 5 Relativism
Chapter 6 Theoretical Realism
Chapter 7 Interpretation
Chapter 8 Speaking Politically
Chapter 9 References
Chapter 10 Index

Editorial Reviews

Sobering and provocative book.

Ethics: An International Journal of Social

In a number of chapters Gunnell shows how various metapractices have claimed far too much for themselves and have consequently impeded progress or right understanding in the practices on which they reflect.

The Review of Politics

This interesting and provocative book marks the culmination of Gunnell's work in recent years on the relationship between philosophy and social science.

International Science Review

This book presents the most systematic and powerful statement of John Gunnell's Wittgenstein-inspired critique of the epistemological project of validating political theory and the social sciences.

Political Science - John Horton

Sobering and provocative book.

Ethics: An International Journal of Social

Clearly written, densely argued.

Journal of American Politics

Orders of Discourse is a dense. .. and challenging book, nearly breathtaking in its scope.

Perspectives on Political Science - James F. Pontuso

An interesting book.

Economics and Philosophy

Worth reading even if only for its synoptic accounts of virtually every contemporary theorist of note. Highly recommended...

Choice Reviews - D.H. Rice

Clearly written, densely argued.

Journal Of American Politics

In a number of chapters Gunnell shows how various metapractices have claimed far too much for themselves and have consequently impeded progress or right understanding in the practices on which they reflect.

The Review Of Politics

Orders of Discourse is a dense . . . and challenging book, nearly breathtaking in its scope.
— James F. Pontuso, Institute of United States Studies

Perspectives On Political Science

In a number of chapters Gunnell shows how various metapractices have claimed far too much for themselves and have consequently impeded progress or right understanding in the practices on which they reflect.

Review of Politics

This book presents the most systematic and powerful statement of John Gunnell's Wittgenstein-inspired critique of the epistemological project of validating political theory and the social sciences.
— John Horton, Keele University

Political Science

Sobering and provocative book.

Ethics