Ricoeur's Critical Theory

David M. Kaplan

Description

In Ricoeur's Critical Theory, David M. Kaplan revisits the Habermas-Gadamer debates to show how Paul Ricoeur's narrative-hermeneutics and moral-political philosophy provide a superior interpretive, normative, and critical framework. Arguing that Ricoeur's unique version of critical theory surpasses the hermeneutic philosophy of Gadamer, Kaplan adds a theory of argumentation necessary to criticize false consciousness and distorted communication. He also argues that Ricoeur develops Habermas's critical theory, adding an imaginative, creative dimension and a concern for community values and ideas of the Good Life. He then shows how Ricoeur's political philosophy steers a delicate path between liberalism, communitarianism, and socialism. Ricoeur's version of critical theory not only identifies and criticizes social pathologies, posits Kaplan, but also projects utopian alternatives for personal and social transformation that would counter and heal the effects of unjust societies. The author concludes by applying Ricoeur's critical theory to three related problems—the politics of identity and recognition, technology, and globalization and democracy—to show how his works add depth, complexity, and practical solutions to these problems.

Acknowledgments

Reference Key to Frequently Cited Texts of Paul Ricoeur

Introduction

1. Hermeneutics

Phenomenology and Hermeneutics
Discourse and Distanciation
Hermeneutics and Ideology Critique

2. Narrative

Metaphor and Narrative
Narrative and History
Interpretation and Argumentation

3. Selfhood

Freedom and Nature
Speaking and Acting
Narrative Identity and Selfhood

4. Practical Wisdom

Ethical Aim and Moral Norm
Moral Norm and Practical Wisdom
Practical Wisdom and Discourse Ethics

5. Politics

Ethics and Politics
Critique and Conviction
Politics and the Law

6. Critical Theory

Identity and Recognition
Technology and Politics
Globalization and Democracy

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Sujets

• Philosophie
• Philosophie politique

Informations

• Publié par: State University of New York Press
• Date de parution: 01 février 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780791486986
• Langue: English

Extrait

Ricoeur’s Critical Theory

SUNY series in the Philosophy of the Social Sciences

Lenore Langsdorf, editor

Ricoeur’s Critical Theory

David M. Kaplan

State University of New York Press

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany

© 2003 State University of New York

All rights reserved

Printed in the United States of America

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

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Library of Congress Control Number

Kaplan, David M. Ricoeur’s critical theory / David M. Kaplan. p. cm. — (SUNY series in the philosophy of the social sciences) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7914-5695-1 (alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-5696-X (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Ricoeur, Paul. 2. Critical theory. I. Title. II. Series.

B2430.R554 K37 2003 194—dc21

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2002042631

For Will Sinda

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Acknowledgments

CONTENTS

Reference Key to Frequently Cited Texts of Paul Ricoeur

Introduction

Chapter 1. Hermeneutics Phenomenology and Hermeneutics Discourse and Distanciation Hermeneutics and Ideology Critique

Chapter 2. Narrative Metaphor and Narrative Narrative and History Interpretation and Argumentation

Chapter 3. Selfhood Freedom and Nature Speaking and Acting Narrative Identity and Selfhood

Chapter 4. Practical Wisdom Ethical Aim and Moral Norm Moral Norm and Practical Wisdom Practical Wisdom and Discourse Ethics

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1

17 17 28 37

47 48 54 65

75 75 82 89

101 102 109 115

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INTRODUCTION

Chapter 5. Politics Ethics and Politics Critique and Conviction Politics and the Law

Chapter 6. Critical Theory Identity and Recognition Technology and Politics Globalization and Democracy

Notes

Bibliography

Index

125 125 135 144

153 154 164 173

189

205

217

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would not have been able to complete this book were it not for the help of several individuals, two public pools, and Roberta. I am grateful to my friends and family for their understanding, loyalty, warmth, and affection. I am grateful to Jim Marsh and Pat Bourgeois, both of whom encouraged and supported me from the very beginning of this project. I am grateful to my chairman at Poly- technic, Harold Sjursen, for reducing my teaching load one year. And I am grateful to my editor, Jane Bunker, who has a been joy to work with. I have profitted immensely from her wisdom and expertise.

My greatest debt is to my friend Michael McGandy. He poured over my manuscript, corrected my awful sentences, questioned me on substantive philo- sophical issues, and forced me to be more clear. He is a superlative editor and a fine philosopher. No one helped me more with this book than he did.

But I might not have even been in a position to write this book if it weren’t for Will Sinda. Will was my Introduction to Philosophy teacher my freshman year at Tulane and he was one of the best teachers I ever had. Because of him, I have devoted my life to studying, writing, and teaching philosophy. It is to him and other exploited adjunct instructors that this book is dedicated.

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