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Critical and Cultural Theory: Thematic Variations
Critical and Cultural Theory Thematic Variations Author:Dani Cavallaro The distinction between understanding sight as a natural faculty - vision - and understanding it as an historical and social construct - visuality - has had significant impact in the visual arts. Not so in social theory where, notwithstanding the efforts of the classical theorists, the practical scientific necessity of privileging visuality over... more » vision has been lost. The Visual in Social Theory argues that - because of its uncritical use of terms like modernity, postmodernity, globalisation, and the Third Way - contemporary social theory has become a participant in rather than a critic of 'promotional culture'. In short, in forgetting its past social theory has effectively forsaken its future. The Visual in Social Theory aims to restore the self-discipline and critical edge intrinsic to any analytical work on visuality. The book will be essential reading not only for those interested in contemporary debates around vision but a broader readership concerned for the critical relevance of contemporary social theory.« less