Enlightened Common Sense
The Philosophy of Critical Realism
Roy Bhaskar author Mervyn Hartwig editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:30th Jun '16
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£37.99(9780415583794)
This essential introduction to critical realism explores its history and significance, making Enlightened Common Sense a key resource for students and scholars alike.
The book Enlightened Common Sense offers a comprehensive overview of critical realism, the philosophical framework that has evolved since the 1970s. This volume serves as a valuable resource, presenting a concise yet thorough examination of critical realism's impact across various fields, including economics, science, philosophy, and religion. The late Roy Bhaskar, the originator of critical realism, draws from his extensive experience to provide readers with a systematic account of this multifaceted approach.
Critical realism has matured into a complex philosophy that seeks to deepen our understanding of ontology. In Enlightened Common Sense, Bhaskar emphasizes the importance of realist ontology as a foundation for knowledge and action. He argues that this understanding is crucial for developing a new enlightened common sense, which can enhance our grasp of social phenomena. The book addresses critical realism's definitions, its relevance in social sciences, and elaborates on dialectical critical realism and the philosophy of metaReality.
This essential introduction is designed for students and scholars alike, offering insights into the evolution and significance of critical realism. By tracing its development and exploring its core principles, Enlightened Common Sense equips readers with the tools needed to engage with this influential philosophical approach, making it an indispensable addition to the literature on critical realism.
Roy Bhaskar’s too-brief life was a gift to humanity. His life's work gave us a solid ontological grounding for all those intuitions that most of us feel we should be able to justify, but are constantly being told by the reigning intellectual authorities we can’t: that the world, and other people, are real, that freedom is inherent in the nature of the cosmos, that genuine human flourishing can never be at the expense of others. He lived to provide the intellectual heavy artillery for simple common decency and good sense. Much of his work was written in exceedingly difficult language. This book however, makes it accessible to those who have the most to gain from it: anyone trying to make the world a better place.
David Graeber, Anthropologist; sometime revolutionary; Professor at London School of Economics, UK.
Roy Bhaskar writes: ‘If there is a single big idea in critical realism it is the idea of ontology.’One big idea, perhaps, but Bhaskar developed it in three very different and equally innovative ways. From early depth ontology, through rethinking dialectical negativity, to the metaphysics of metaReality, Bhaskar pushed his thought – and himself. Guided always by the lodestar of emancipation, this final work demonstrates the unity in the three phases of his thought. Always willing to go against the mainstream, it is a fitting final tribute to a great philosopher.
Alan Norrie, Professor, University of Warwick, UK.
ISBN: 9780415583787
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 476g
226 pages