Synopses & Reviews
The analytic impression of Michel Foucault is of a radical relativist whose views on truth entail linguistic idealism. C.G. Prado's book lays this misperception to rest, showing analytic philosophers that Foucault's ideas about truth are defensible and merit serious attention, while also demonstrating to Continental philosophers that Searle's ideas about truth can not be ignored. Prado rebuts the analytic impression of Michel Foucault as a radical relativist whose views on truth entail denial of the objective world, and demonstrates that Foucault is not only a realist, but also much closer than many imagine to John Searle and Donald Davidson, both model analytic thinkers.
Synopsis
This book compares John Searle and Michel Foucault's radically opposed views on truth.
Synopsis
Comparing John Searle and Michel Foucault's radically opposed views on truth, this book demonstrates the need for invigorating cross-fertilization between the analytic and Continental philosophical traditions. By pressing beyond familiar clichés about analytic philosophy and postmodernism, a surprising convergence of Searle and Foucault's thought on truth emerge. Prado rebuts the analytic impression of Michel Foucault as a radical relativist and shows that Foucault not only is a realist, but also is much closer than many imagine to John Searle and Donald Davidson, both model analytic thinkers.
About the Author
C. G. Prado is Professor Emeritus in the philosophy department at Queen's University, in Kingston, Ontario. A recipient of grants and fellowships from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Canada Council, and Queen's University, he is the author and editor of many articles and books, including A House Divided: Comparing Analytic and Continental Philosophers and Illusions of Faith: A Critique of Noncredal Religions.
Table of Contents
1. Polar opposites; 2. Searle; 3. Foucault; 4. Truth, reality, and confirmation; 5. Truth and realism.