On postmodern gnoseology in sociocultural research (in the footsteps of Bill Readings’ conception of university)

The monograph “The University in Ruins” by B. Readings
(1996) is examined as a source of contemporary (late 20th – early 21st centuries) gnoseology. An evident Readings’ closeness to
the postmodern authors (first of all, to Lyotard but also Foucault
and Deleuze, and others) makes it possible to raise the question
not only about well-known critical and ethical aspects of postmodern theories (exposure of conservative statements and rehabilitation of marginal points of view) but their “constructive”
capabilities (for the purpose of humanitarian researches). “The
University in Ruins” by B. Readings seems to be an applicable
case to evaluate what advantages the postmodern gnoseology provides for solving specific problems of theory and history
of culture and what charges and dangers one has to face doing
such research.

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9. https://www.rsuh.ru/education/culture/vshek/bill-readings.php#10.

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