Foucault Contra Habermas: Recasting the Dialogue between Genealogy and Critical Theory (Philosophy and Social Criticism) - Hardcover

Foucault contra Habermas is an incisive examination of, and a comprehensive introduction to, the debate between Foucault and Habermas over the meaning of enlightenment and modernity. It reprises the key issues in the argument between critical theory and genealogy and is organised around three complementary themes: defining the context of the debate; examining the theoretical and conceptual tools used; and discussing the implications for politics and criticism.

In a detailed reply to Habermas' Philosophical Discourse of Modernity, this volume explains the difference between Habermas' philosophical practice and Foucault's between the analytics of truth and the politics of truth. Many of the most difficult arguments in the exchange are subject to a detailed critical analysis. This examination also includes discussion of the ethics of dialogue; the practice of criticism; the politics of recognition , and the function of civil society and democracy.

Samantha Ashenden is Senior Lecturer in Sociology. She has a BA (Hons) Applied Social Science from Kingston University, an M.Phil in Social and Political Theory from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D in Sociology from the University of London. She has published on problems of power, authority and legitimacy within constitutional states, the role of expertise in contemporary governance, and on feminist theory and child sexual abuse. She has taught on the London Consortium Ph.D Programme, and at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, as well as at Queen Mary University of London, the University of North London, and Kingston University. Sam is currently Chair of the BA Politics, Philosophy and History. She is the Managing Editor of the journal Economy and Society and is reviews editor for the journal Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy