Ernest Gellner was a distinguished British-Czech philosopher, social anthropologist, and writer on nationalism. His work delves deeply into the nature of modern societies and the genesis and functioning of nationalism. Gellner's analytical approach and his ability to bridge philosophy, sociology, and history allowed him to offer unique insights into the complexities of human culture and politics. His writings remain essential for understanding the formation of nations and the modern state.
Focusing on the philosophical contributions of Wittgenstein and the anthropological insights of Malinowski, this final work by Gellner offers a comprehensive analysis of their ideas. It explores the intersections of language, culture, and human understanding, presenting a unique synthesis that highlights the significance of both thinkers in contemporary thought. Through this lens, Gellner aims to illuminate the broader implications of their theories for social science and philosophy.
This collection of essays addresses critical issues within philosophy, politics, and society, offering insightful analysis and perspectives. It explores fundamental questions and challenges, encouraging readers to reflect on the interplay between these disciplines. Each essay contributes to a deeper understanding of contemporary societal problems, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the complexities of human thought and governance.
Key conceptual issues in the social sciences are explored, highlighting Winch's perspective on social science, structuralism, and the contributions of Malinowski and Evans-Pritchard. The volume delves into the intricate concept of kinship, offering insights into how these foundational ideas shape the understanding of social structures and relationships.
First published in 1959, this classic challenge to the prevailing philosophical orthodoxy of the day, remains the most devastating attack on a conventional wisdom in philosophy to this day.
The collection of essays explores the intricate relationship between philosophy and life, drawing on the insights of notable figures such as Chomsky, Piaget, and Eysenck. Gellner examines various perspectives on this connection, offering a multifaceted analysis that engages with both philosophical concepts and practical implications in everyday life. Through these discussions, the essays illuminate the ways in which philosophical thought influences our understanding of human behavior and societal dynamics.
A provocative essay on a subject that, since the collapse of the Soviet empire, has become once again, a central subject of contemporary politics. Lucid, witty and brilliant, Gellner's essay combines the perspectives of politics, history, philosophy and anthropology with the multidisciplinary flair for which he is renowned
A distinguished scholar's provocative analysis of the political forces transforming post-Communist Eastern Europe. What is filling the void left by the fall of Communism in the ex-Soviet Union and Eastern Europe? In this groundbreaking book, one of Europe's most distinguished social anthropologists addresses this question through an examination of the idea of the civil society, which is rooted in the Enlightenment's belief that society can be organized rationally.
How did the language of psychoanalysis become the dominant idiom in which the middle classes of the industrialized West speak about their emotions? Ernest Gellner offers a forceful and complex answer to this intriguing question in The Psychoanalytic Movement.
