| The Spell of Language: Poststructuralism and Speculation Contributor(s): Pavel, Thomas G. (Author), Jordan, Linda (Translator) |
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ISBN: 0226650677 ISBN-13: 9780226650678 Publisher: University of Chicago Press OUR PRICE: $31.68 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: December 2001 Annotation: Originally published as "Le Mirage linguistique," this book remains the definitive study of the role of linguistics in structuralism and poststructuralism. Thomas Pavel examines recent French thought through the work of luminaries such as Levi-Strauss, Lacan, Foucault, and Derrida. The "spell of language" for Pavel consists of three things: the promise that linguistics seemed to represent for the humanities and social sciences; the distortions, misunderstandings, and willful neglect incumbent upon the "linguistic turn"; and, above all, the break with traditional humanism. He isolates three modes of thought-moderate structuralism, scientific structuralism, and speculative structuralism-and shows how even as they diverge from each other, they all advocate an antihumanist point of view. In this spirited book, Pavel shows that structuralism's flawed use of linguistic theory has rendered hollow the philosophical core of a whole generation of work in the human sciences. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Language Arts & Disciplines | Linguistics - General - Philosophy | Movements - Structuralism |
| Dewey: 410.18 |
| Physical Information: 0.56" H x 6.36" W x 9" (0.62 lbs) 184 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Originally published as Le Mirage linguistique, this book remains the definitive study of the role of linguistics in structuralism and poststructuralism. Thomas Pavel examines recent French thought through the work of luminaries such as L vi-Strauss, Lacan, Foucault, and Derrida. The spell of language for Pavel consists of three things: the promise that linguistics seemed to represent for the humanities and social sciences; the distortions, misunderstandings, and willful neglect incumbent upon the linguistic turn; and, above all, the break with traditional humanism. He isolates three modes of thought-moderate structuralism, scientific structuralism, and speculative structuralism-and shows how even as they diverge from each other, they all advocate an antihumanist point of view. In this spirited book, Pavel shows that structuralism's flawed use of linguistic theory has rendered hollow the philosophical core of a whole generation of work in the human sciences. |
