What is Theory: Cultural Theory as Discourse and Dialogue

Book Details

• Author: Peter V. Zima

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2011

• ISBN: 9788131604656

• Pages: 296

• Cover: Hardcover

• Package Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

In What is Theory: Cultural Theory as Discourse and Dialogue, Peter V. Zima redefines the concept of theory, challenging the conventional scientific understanding of the term and its application in the cultural and social sciences. While ‘theory’ is often associated with scientific knowledge, Zima reminds us that it originates from a particular way of viewing and relating objects within a discourse, rooted in linguistic structures. This critical study explores how theory has been misunderstood and under-analyzed in the academic world.

Zima argues that social scientists and cultural theorists have used concepts like ‘culture’, ‘ideology’, ‘language’, and ‘discourse’ without fully examining the concept of theory itself. Through a comprehensive re-evaluation of 20th-century theoretical debates, the book engages with the critical works of scholars such as Adorno, Horkheimer, and Bakhtin to offer an alternative, dialectical, and dialogical concept of theory. Zima’s theory emphasizes the importance of confronting contradictory theoretical positions through critical dialogue, thus fostering deeper understanding and systemic confrontation.

Building upon Popper’s ideas of refutability and testability, Zima introduces a new perspective on theory that uncovers the limitations of traditional approaches, opening up fresh possibilities for cultural and sociological study. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the development of theory in the humanities, especially those seeking to improve intellectual interaction and coherence in cultural and social sciences.

Key Themes Covered:

• The Concept of Theory in the Cultural and Social Sciences

• Discourse and Linguistic Structures in Theory

• Dialectical and Dialogical Approach to Theoretical Debate

• Engagement with Adorno, Horkheimer, and Bakhtin

• Popper’s Refutability and Testability in Theory

• Re-defining Theory from a Cultural and Sociological Perspective

About the Author
Peter V. Zima is Professor of Comparative Literature and Director of the Institute of General and Comparative Literature at the University of Klagenfurt, Austria. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the fields of comparative literature and cultural theory.