Theology and Social Theory: Beyond Secular Reason - Hardcover

Milbank, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1405136839 ISBN 13: 9781405136839

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2005

Synopsis

This is a revised edition of John Milbank's masterpiece, which sketches the outline of a specifically theological social theory. "The Times Higher Education Supplement" wrote of the first edition that it was 'a tour de force of systematic theology. It would be churlish not to acknowledge its provocation and brilliance'. This work: brings this classic work up-to-date by reviewing the development of modern social thought; features a substantial new introduction by Milbank, clarifying the theoretical basis for his work; challenges the notion that sociological critiques of theology are 'scientific'; and, outlines a specifically theological social theory, and in doing so, engages with a wide range of thinkers from Plato to Deleuze. It is written by one of the world's most influential contemporary theologians and the author of numerous books.

About this title

Review:

Praise for the First edition

"Milbank's work is a tour de force of systematic theology. It would be churlish not to acknowledge its provocation and brilliance."
Times Higher Education Supplement

"The thesis is relatively simple, its orchestration is stunning in scope as well as in harmonies."
Modern Theology

"John Milbank's sprawling, ambitious and intellectually demanding book is in a class of its own."
Studies in Christian Ethics

"John Milbank has written a masterful review of the development of modern social thought that at the same time offers a criticism of its dominant paradigms and suggests inherent limits on its accomplishments."
Journal of Religion

Praise for the Second Edition

"Theology and Social Theory has proven to be a bombshell... We are, therefore, extremely fortunate to have this second edition with Milbank's dazzling new 'Preface'. Re-reading this book is always a pleasure, because it is filled with surprises that force thought."
Stanley Hauerwas, Duke University

"When the first edition was published the reaction was one of shock. Now, fifteen years on, the shock has worn off; more and more people are questioning the universal competency of secular reason. But this make all the more important the publication of this second edition. Milbank develops an alternative which has been steadily developing and enriching in the intervening years."
Charles Taylor, McGill University

"[Theology and Social Theory] remains a dense, challenging and elusive masterpiece of a book, which has lost none of its power to intrigue and repel in equal measure."
Times Literary Supplement, Sept 2006

"This second edition is a vital aid to any reader who wishes to understand more fully how Theology and Social Theory relates to Milbank's continued publications and radically orthodox sensibilities."
Theological Book Review

"An influential and important book ... instructive for students in that it analyses and challenges contemporary assumptions about society and religion." Teaching Theology & Religion

From the Back Cover:

In modern times, the social sciences have sought to explain religion from a neutral, secular vantage-point. In response, theology has tried to legitimate itself by building upon social scientific conclusions. In this acclaimed book, John Milbank suggests that both enterprises are compromised by the theological and anti-theological assumptions built into the social sciences themselves.

This new edition of Theology and Social Theory brings John Milbank's classic work fully into line with his most recent views and is laid out in an easier-to-read format. It features a substantial new preface in which Milbank answers his critics by defending and further elaborating his metahistorical vision.

Provocative and well-argued, this updated classic from one of the world's leading theologians offers a comprehensive treatment of the relation between theology and social theory, all the way from Plato to Deleuze.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1405136839
• ISBN 13: 9781405136839
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 484