Postmodernism and the New Enlightenment - Hugo Anthony Meynell

In this provocative book, Hugo A. Meynell sets out to describe what is known about ""postmodernism."" He criticizes its defects, calls attention to its dangers, and outlines a new way of thinking which combines postmodernism's best features with those of the Enlightenment to which it is so vehemently opposed.

After a brief introduction, the author discusses the thought of Friedrich Nietzsche, whose work is prophetic of both postmodernism and the ""new enlightenment."" Next he summarizes the elements of the new enlightenment and the epistemological and metaphysical principles that constitute it. Meynell argues that the essence of the new enlightenment, as exemplified above all in the work of Bernard Lonergan, is an account of truth and value determined by four ""transcendental"" precepts: ""be attentive, be intelligent, be reasonable, be responsible."" He then moves to an exposition and critique of four thinkers representative of postmodernism: Foucault, Derrida, Lyotard, and Rorty. Criticizing these thinkers for emphasizing the creative powers of ""intelligence"" at the expense of ""reason,"" Meynell suggests that reason is required if individuals are to get beyond speculation to finding out the truth about the world and themselves.

Along the way, Meynell surveys interesting subsidiary movements and figures, like Baudrillard, Bataille, and some feminist thinkers considered postmodernists. In the final chapter, he returns to Derrida and the notorious question of his credentials as a philosopher.

Throughout the book Meynell draws attention to the dangers of the cognitive and moral nihilism which appear to be an inevitable consequence of postmodernism, though he admits that it provides useful correctives to the deficiencies and limitations of one conception of reason. The new enlightenment is presented as playing synthesis to the ""old"" enlightenment thesis and the postmodernist antithesis.

Hugo A. Meynell is professor or religious studies at the University of Calgary. He is the author of numerous articles and books, includingRedirecting Philosophy, Is Christianity True?andThe Theology of Bernard Lonergan.

""The author successfully shows that postmodernism, while having important insights and questions, is inadequate as a critique of modernist reason and that his, Meynell's, version of new enlightenment is a successful sublation of the strong modernist thesis and postmodern antithesis.""--Prof. James L. Marsh, Fordham University

""Meynell here provides us with a clear, careful, and almost always fair-minded consideration of one set of questions, those about our abilities to judge truthfully in matters of fact and value.""--

Theological Studies

""A book welcome to any reader struggling to appropriate the best elements of postmodernism while hoping to retain the objective norms of truth and goodness found in the Enlightenment. . . . Meynell provides a lively and readable discussion with his usual clarity. The book is worthwhile solely for the summaries and criticisms of Foucault, Derrida, Lyotard, and Rorty. . . . The book provides timely and insightful criticisms of many leading postmodernists. . . .""--Philosophhia Christi