Gregor McLennan Public Lecture 5/15/08
Professor Gregor McLennan, University of Bristol
"Social Enquiry in a Post-secular Age"
This lecture discusses general aspects of what is emerging in the human sciences as a climate of 'post-secularism' or at least 'post-secularity'. Signs of the theoretical times can be found in post-structuralist writings and in the 'revival of religion' not only in the wider society but in the sociological study of it. Post-secular variants have even emerged in such previously staunchly secular-scientific philosophies of the human sciences such as critical realism. To focus discussion, and to emphasize interdisciplinary commonality around fundamental theoretical questions, an appraisal is given of the new centerpiece of this growing intellectual current, namely Charles Taylor's 'A Secular Age'. Simultaneously a historical overview and a work of social theory, Taylor also offers strong normative suggestions that intimate the need, and the way, to progress into a post-secular age. But how strong are the arguments, and what sort of 'methodological' and rhetorical coherence does this massive work achieve?
Location: Room 211
Date/Time: 2008-05-15 at 4:30 pm - 2008-05-15 at 6:00 pm
Gregor McLennan is Professor of Sociology at the University of Bristol, and a member of the UK Academy of Social Sciences. He is the author of many books and articles on Marxism and the methodologies of history; on social, political and methodological pluralism; and on disciplinarity and inter-disciplinarity. His latest book is Sociological Cultural Studies: Reflexivity and Positivity in the Human Sciences. He teaches graduate level courses on the philosophy of social enquiry. Sponsored by the Center for Collaborative History and the Davis Center
Category: OtherHistory Department