The Visual in Social Theory
The distinction between understanding sight as a natural faculty - vision - and understanding it as an historical and social construct - visuality - has had significant impact in the visual arts. Not so in social theory where, notwithstanding the efforts of the classical theorists, the practical scientific necessity of privileging visuality over vision has been lost. The Visual in Social Theory argues that, because of its uncritical use of terms like modernity, postmodernity, globalisation and the Third Way, contemporary social theory has become a participant in rather than a critic of 'promotional culture'. In short, in forgetting its past social theory has effectively forsaken its future. The Visual in Social Theory aims to restore the self-discipline and critical edge intrinsic to any analytical work on visuality. The book will be essential reading not only for those interested in contemporary debates around vision but for a broader readership concerned for the critical relevance of contemporary social theory.
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The Visual in Social Theory
The distinction between understanding sight as a natural faculty - vision - and understanding it as an historical and social construct - visuality - has had significant impact in the visual arts. Not so in social theory where, notwithstanding the efforts of the classical theorists, the practical scientific necessity of privileging visuality over vision has been lost. The Visual in Social Theory argues that, because of its uncritical use of terms like modernity, postmodernity, globalisation and the Third Way, contemporary social theory has become a participant in rather than a critic of 'promotional culture'. In short, in forgetting its past social theory has effectively forsaken its future. The Visual in Social Theory aims to restore the self-discipline and critical edge intrinsic to any analytical work on visuality. The book will be essential reading not only for those interested in contemporary debates around vision but for a broader readership concerned for the critical relevance of contemporary social theory.
42.95 In Stock
The Visual in Social Theory

The Visual in Social Theory

by Anthony Woodiwiss
The Visual in Social Theory

The Visual in Social Theory

by Anthony Woodiwiss

Paperback

$42.95 
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Overview

The distinction between understanding sight as a natural faculty - vision - and understanding it as an historical and social construct - visuality - has had significant impact in the visual arts. Not so in social theory where, notwithstanding the efforts of the classical theorists, the practical scientific necessity of privileging visuality over vision has been lost. The Visual in Social Theory argues that, because of its uncritical use of terms like modernity, postmodernity, globalisation and the Third Way, contemporary social theory has become a participant in rather than a critic of 'promotional culture'. In short, in forgetting its past social theory has effectively forsaken its future. The Visual in Social Theory aims to restore the self-discipline and critical edge intrinsic to any analytical work on visuality. The book will be essential reading not only for those interested in contemporary debates around vision but for a broader readership concerned for the critical relevance of contemporary social theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780826478771
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 10/20/2005
Series: Continuum Collection
Pages: 234
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.49(d)

About the Author

Anthony Woodiwiss is Professor of Sociology at City University and the author of Social Theory After Postmodernism and Postmodernity.
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