Democracy and Relativism

A Debate

Cornelius Castoriadis author John V Garner translator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Rowman & Littlefield International

Published:8th Nov '19

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Democracy and Relativism cover

In this vibrant debate with intellectuals influenced by Marcel Mauss, including Alain Caillé and Chantal Mouffe, the incisive Greek-French activist and philosopher Cornelius Castoriadis addresses the challenge of critical thinking in an international context. The first half explores the tradition of radical self-critique and the prospect of affirming its value in a non-ethnocentric way. While defending ancient Greek contributions to the Western tradition of radical self-critique — including the practice of “relativizing” one's own culture, of engaging in philosophical interrogation, and of establishing democratic institutions — Castoriadis is challenged to explore the trans-contextual features of any self-critical, or “autonomous,” social institution. In the second half Castoriadis offers a penetrating critique of representative democracy, and the discussion makes important strides toward a new conception of direct democracy, of political education, and of the institutional prerequisites for the continuation of radical self-critique in politics and philosophy.

One can always learn more about a philosophical position from a spontaneous dialogue, unfinished debate or a piecemeal interview than from a finalized treatise. The publication of Castoriadis’ discussion with the MAUSS group in 1994 is very timely, since it touches on topics keenly relevant to our current political situation, such as direct democracy, self-critique, and autonomy. -- Dmitri Nikulin, Professor of Philosophy, New School for Social Research

ISBN: 9781786610942

Dimensions: 219mm x 146mm x 17mm

Weight: 295g

142 pages