John Gray and the Problem of Utopia
by John Hoffman
Explores the link between logic, ethics and political theory. This book analyses the theoretical origins and application of the concept of intersubjectivity, arguing that post-Kantian philosophy (in Fichte, Schiller and Hegel) extends Kant's critique of Leibniz to yield a different theory of modern freedom, community and mutual recognition.
Hardcover
English
Brand New
Publisher Description
This book explores the work of John Gray, controversial and widely read contemporary philosopher. This comprehensive volume links a critique of Gray's views on Marxism, humanism, and the Enlightenment—as well as his deep pessimism—with his position that attempts to tackle the core of issues like globalization and multiculturalism are hopelessly utopian. Challenging these and other assumptions in Gray's work in a clear and accessible way, John Hoffman focuses his criticism on the philosopher's traditionalist and problematic conception of utopia in the modern world.
Author Biography
John Hoffman is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Leicester.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements Introduction 1. The Anti-Utopianism of John Gray 2. The Traditional View of Utopia 3. Utopia and Dualism 4. Marxism and Utopia 5. The Problem of the Market 6. The Caricature of Marxism 7. The Problem of the State 8. The Inescapable Character of Universalism 9. Globalization 10. Egalitarianism and Multiculturalism 11. Reconstructing Utopia Conclusion References Index
Long Description
The book is concerned with the work of John Gray, currently Professor of European Thought at the LSE and a controversial and very widely read contemporary philosopher. This book analyses his views on ";utopia"; in the context of globalisation, war, violence and multi-culturalism, providing an accessible critique of his arguments. It is the great strength of John Gray's work that he addresses these topics in a clear and accessible fashion. However, he dismisses efforts to tackle these problems as 'utopian' in a way that is misleading and pessimistic, and embraces a notion of utopia that is traditionalist and problematic. Professor Hoffman seeks to challenge these assumptions in a clear, accessible way, mindful that existing literature treats the question of utopia in a traditionalist manner or reconstructs it in a highly specialised manner that is not as readable as it could be.
Review Text
The book is concerned with the work of John Gray, currently Professor of European Thought at the LSE and a controversial and very widely read contemporary philosopher. This book analyses his views on "utopia" in the context of globalisation, war, violence and multi-culturalism, providing an accessible critique of his arguments. It is the great strength of John Gray's work that he addresses these topics in a clear and accessible fashion. However, he dismisses efforts to tackle these problems as "utopian" in a way that is misleading and pessimistic, and embraces a notion of utopia that is traditionalist and problematic. Professor Hoffman seeks to challenge these assumptions in a clear, accessible way, mindful that existing literature treats the question of utopia in a traditionalist manner or reconstructs it in a highly specialised manner that is not as readable as it could be.
Author Comments
John Hoffman is Professor of Political Theory, University of Leicester. Professor Hoffman has a long and distinguished publication record and has published for Sage, Blackwell and Palgrave/Macmillan.
Details
