Transformations in Personhood and Culture after Theory: The Languages of History, Aesthetics, and Ethics (Literature and Philosophy)

Delve into the profound shifts shaping intellectual thought in "Transformations in Personhood and Culture after Theory: The Languages of History, Aesthetics, and Ethics," a compelling collection of essays published by Penn State University Press in 1994. This First Edition paperback, a significant contribution to the fields of Postmodernism and Criticism, navigates the evolving landscape of humanistic inquiry, offering a vital bridge between personal experience and rigorous intellectual reflection. This collection, edited by leading scholars, addresses a critical juncture in intellectual history, moving beyond the abstract theoretical frameworks that dominated the preceding decades. Instead, it champions a pluralistic vocabulary capable of capturing the complexities of human experience and cultural change. The book brings together perspectives from historians, philosophers, feminists, and aestheticians, revealing a widespread intellectual shift that actively resists the reduction of complex subjects to simplistic, abstract models. "Transformations in Personhood and Culture after Theory" provides a unique exploration into the development of *situated languages* personal, responsible, and context-aware that resonate with intellectuals seeking meaning and relevance in the wake of abstract theory. The essays within this volume do more than simply critique; they offer constructive pathways forward, developing new ways of understanding the self, culture, and the ethical dimensions of existence. Contributors like Nancy F. Partner challenge conventional historical approaches, suggesting "History Without Empiricism/Truth Without Facts," pushing us to rethink how we construct narratives of the past. Judith Schlanger explores the evolving nature of our cultural heritage in "How Old Is Our Cultural Past?". Isabelle Stengers brings a fresh perspective with "The Humor of the Present," while Nancy Austin examines the intersection of leisure, travel, and societal shifts in "Naming the Landscape: Leisure Travel and the Demise of the Salon." The book further delves into aesthetics with Karsten Harries' "Beauty, Language, and Re-Presentation: Notes Toward a Critique of Aesthetics--With Special Reference to Architecture," challenging traditional notions of beauty and representation. Mary Ann Caws explores the creative spaces between architecture and poetry in "Making Space: For a Poetry of Architecture," while Charles Altieri investigates the complexities of intentionality and subjective agency in "Intentionality Without Interiority: Wittgenstein and the Dynamics of Subjective Agency." Ethical considerations are front and center as Jacques Schlanger examines the process of "Changing One's Beliefs," offering insights into the dynamics of personal transformation. Rosi Braidotti contributes to the discourse on gender studies with "Theories of Gender," while Sarah Westphal presents compelling "Stories of Gender." Finally, Mary Bittner Wiseman provides a unique perspective on art and the feminine through "Three Renaissance Madonnas: Freud and the Feminine." This carefully curated collection offers readers a rich tapestry of intellectual perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of the transformations shaping our understanding of personhood, culture, and the ethical responsibilities of intellectual inquiry. A must-read for scholars and anyone interested in the evolution of postmodern thought and its implications for contemporary life.