The discipline of anthropology is, at its best, characterized by
turbulence, self-examination, and inventiveness. In recent decades,
new thinking and practice within the field has certainly reflected
this pattern, as shown for example by numerous fruitful ventures into
the "politics and poetics" of anthropology. Surprisingly little
attention, however, has been given to the simple insight that
anthropology is composed of claims, whether tacit or explicit, about
anthropos and about logos--and the myriad ways in which these two
Greek nouns have been, might be, and should be, connected. Anthropos
Today represents a pathbreaking effort to fill this gap. Paul Rabinow
brings together years of distinguished work in this magisterial volume
that seeks to reinvigorate the human sciences. Specifically, he
assembles a set of conceptual tools--"modern equipment"--to assess how
intellectual work is currently conducted and how it might change.
Anthropos Today crystallizes Rabinow's previous ethnographic inquiries
into the production of truth about life in the world of biotechnology
and genome mapping (and his invention of new ways of practicing this
pursuit), and his findings on how new practices of life, labor, and
language have emerged and been institutionalized. Here, Rabinow steps
back from empirical research in order to reflect on the conceptual and
ethical resources available today to conduct such inquiries. Drawing
richly on Foucault and many other thinkers including Weber and Dewey,
Rabinow concludes that a "contingent practice" must be developed that
focuses on "events of problematization." Brilliantly synthesizing
insights from American, French, and German traditions, he offers a
lucid, deeply learned, original discussion of how one might best think
about anthropos today.
Les mer
Reflections on Modern Equipment
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9781400825905
Publisert
2013
Utgiver
Princeton University Press
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Antall sider
176
Forfatter