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Democracy and Relativism

A Debate

Democracy and Relativism cover

Democracy and Relativism

A Debate

Description

In this vibrant debate with intellectuals influenced by Marcel Mauss, including Alain Caillé and Chantal Mouffe, the incisive Greek-French activist and philosopher Cornelius Castoriadis addresses the challenge of critical thinking in an international context.

The first half explores the tradition of radical self-critique and the prospect of affirming its value in a non-ethnocentric way. While defending ancient Greek contributions to the Western tradition of radical self-critique — including the practice of “relativizing” one's own culture, of engaging in philosophical interrogation, and of establishing democratic institutions — Castoriadis is challenged to explore the trans-contextual features of any self-critical, or “autonomous,” social institution. In the second half Castoriadis offers a penetrating critique of representative democracy, and the discussion makes important strides toward a new conception of direct democracy, of political education, and of the institutional prerequisites for the continuation of radical self-critique in politics and philosophy.

Table of Contents

Translator's Introduction / Introduction to the French Edition, Jean-Louis Prat / Democracy and Relativism: A Debate / The Relativity of Relativism / The Political and Politics / Indetermination and Creation / The Condition for the Universalization of Western Values / Democracy / Glossary of Key Terms / Bibliography / Index

Product details

Published Nov 07 2019
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Pages 96
ISBN 9781786610966
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield
Series Reinventing Critical Theory
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

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