Bookbot

Fashionable Nonsense

Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science

En savoir plus sur le livre

In 1996 Physicist Alan Sokal published an essay in Social Text -- an influential academic journal of cultural studies -- touting the deep similarities between quantum gravitational theory and postmodern philosophy. Soon thereafter, the essay was revealed as a brilliant parody, a catalog of nonsense written in the cutting-edge but impenetrable lingo of postmodern theorists. The event sparked a furious debate in academic circles and made the headlines of newspapers in the U.S. and abroad.Now Sokal and his fellow physicist Jean Bricmont expand from where the hoax left off. In a delightfully witty and clear voice, the two thoughtfully and thoroughly dismantle the pseudo scientific writings of some of the most fashionable French and American intellectuals. More generally, they challenge the widespread notion that scientific theories are mere "narrations" or social constructions. At once provocative and measured, Fashionable Nonsense is a passionate defense of science and sense.

Achat du livre

Fashionable Nonsense, Alan Sokal, Jean Bricmont

Langue
Année de publication
1998
product-detail.submit-box.info.binding
(rigide),
État du livre
Abîmé
Prix
11,49 €

Modes de paiement

Personne n'a encore évalué .Évaluer

Sous-titre
Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science
Langue
Anglais
Éditeur
Picador USA
Publié
1998
Format
rigide
Pages
300
ISBN10
0312195451
ISBN13
9780312195458
Séries
Description
In 1996 Physicist Alan Sokal published an essay in Social Text -- an influential academic journal of cultural studies -- touting the deep similarities between quantum gravitational theory and postmodern philosophy. Soon thereafter, the essay was revealed as a brilliant parody, a catalog of nonsense written in the cutting-edge but impenetrable lingo of postmodern theorists. The event sparked a furious debate in academic circles and made the headlines of newspapers in the U.S. and abroad.Now Sokal and his fellow physicist Jean Bricmont expand from where the hoax left off. In a delightfully witty and clear voice, the two thoughtfully and thoroughly dismantle the pseudo scientific writings of some of the most fashionable French and American intellectuals. More generally, they challenge the widespread notion that scientific theories are mere "narrations" or social constructions. At once provocative and measured, Fashionable Nonsense is a passionate defense of science and sense.