The Natural Law Foundations of Modern Social Theory: A Quest for Universalism
Cambridge University Press, 1/31/2013
EAN 9781107009806, ISBN10: 1107009804
Hardcover, 258 pages, 22.8 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm
Language: English
After several decades in which it became a prime target for critique, universalism remains one of the most important issues in social and political thought. Daniel Chernilo reassesses social theory's universalistic orientation and explains its origins in natural law theory, using an impressive array of classical and contemporary sources that include, among others, Habermas, Leo Strauss, Weber, Marx, Hegel, Rousseau and Hobbes. The Natural Law Foundations of Modern Social Theory challenges previous accounts of the rise of social theory, recovers a strong idea of humanity, and revisits conventional arguments on sociology's relationship to modernity, the enlightenment and natural law. It reconnects social theory to its scientific and philosophical roots, its descriptive and normative tasks and its historical and systematic planes. Chernilo's defense of universalism for contemporary social theory will surely engage students of sociology, political theory and moral philosophy alike.
Introduction
Part I. On the Relationships between Social Theory and Natural Law
1. Contemporary social theory and natural law
Jürgen Habermas
2. A natural law critique of modern social theory
Karl Löwith, Leo Strauss and Eric Voegelin
Part II. Natural Law
3. Natural law and the question of universalism
4. Modern natural law I
Hobbes and Rousseau on the state of nature and social life
5. Modern natural law II
Kant and Hegel on proceduralism and ethical life
Part III. Classical Social Theory
6. Classical social theory I
Marx, Tönnies and Durkheim on alienation, community and society
7. Classical social theory II
Simmel and Weber on the universality of sociability and reasonableness
8. Social theory as the natural law of 'artificial' social relations
Epilogue.
Advance praise: 'A striking defense of universalism in philosophy and social theory. Daniel Chernilo outlines a compelling narrative on the sublation of natural law by social theory. He demonstrates that natural law is not only overcome by modern social theory but that a hard core survived criticism, and came back with ever better justifications.' Hauke Brunkhorst, University of Flensburg