The Contingency of Theory: Pragmatism, Expressivism, and Deconstruction - Hardcover
For contemporary pragmatists, the study of literature supports the development of liberal, pluralist societies. As the product of multiple interpretive communities, works of literature promote cultural diversity, strengthen the expresssion of human agents' beliefs and values, and emphasize the ordinary rather than the theoretical context of interpretive practices. But what exactly is the relationship between pragmatism and theories of textuality in the literary disciplines? Pragmatists embrace the concept of textuality but do not concede that textuality changes anything about how we interpret literature in specific social contexts.
Gary Wihl argues for the first time that theories of textuality contain an important expressivist philosophy of language that has been overlooked by pragmatists. According to Wihl, expressivism enriches the pragmatist concept of interpretive communities by focusing on forms of language that shape personhood and cultural value. Highly textual theories like deconstruction can refine and enhance the expressivist element in works of literature. Wihl offers the first direct comparison and synthesis of writings by Stanley Cavell, Paul de Man, Stanley Fish, and Charles Taylor. Brought together in this book, pragmatism, expressivism, and deconstruction restore the philosophical importance of literature by according it a formative role in the definition of human selves.
Gary Wihl argues for the first time that theories of textuality contain an important expressivist philosophy of language that has been overlooked by pragmatists. According to Wihl, expressivism enriches the pragmatist concept of interpretive communities by focusing on forms of language that shape personhood and cultural value. Highly textual theories like deconstruction can refine and enhance the expressivist element in works of literature. Wihl offers the first direct comparison and synthesis of writings by Stanley Cavell, Paul de Man, Stanley Fish, and Charles Taylor. Brought together in this book, pragmatism, expressivism, and deconstruction restore the philosophical importance of literature by according it a formative role in the definition of human selves.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Gary Wihl is associate professor of English at McGill University.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherYale University Press
- Publication date1994
- ISBN 10 0300057989
- ISBN 13 9780300057980
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages230
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 17.50
Shipping:
US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
The Contingency of Theory: Pragmatism, Expressivism, Deconstruction
Published by
Yale University Press
(1994)
ISBN 10: 0300057989
ISBN 13: 9780300057980
New
Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. Yale University Press, 1994. First edition. First printing. Hardbound. New in dust jacket. A perfect unread copy. Literary Criticism. Philosophy. 0.0. Seller Inventory # 5050
Buy New
US$ 17.50
Convert currency