Enlightenment and Despair
A History of Social Theory

An acclaimed critical history of social theory from the eighteenth century onwards.

Geoffrey Hawthorn (Author)

9780521337212, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 March 1987

328 pages
21.5 x 13.7 x 2 cm, 0.437 kg

'This book shows more effectively than any other I know, the relationship of social thought and social context.' History

Geoffrey Hawthorn has written a substantial conclusion for the second edition of his widely acclaimed critical history of social theory in England, France, Germany and the USA from the eighteenth century onwards. Hawthorn begins with the 'prehistory' of the subject and traces, particularly in the thought of Rousseau, Kant and Hegel, the emergence of certain fundamental distinctions and assumptions whose existence is often overlooked in studies of the traditional 'founding-fathers' of sociology like Marx, Durkheim and Weber.

Preface
Introduction
1. Enlightenment and doubt
2. History resolved by mind
3. History resolved by men
4. History resolved by laws I
5. History resolved by laws II
6. History resolved by laws III
7. History resolved by will
8. History doubted
9. History ignored
10. History unresolved
Conclusion
Bibliographies
Index.

Subject Areas: Social theory [JHBA]