A Critique of Academic Reason

In his Critique of Academic Reason, a synthesis and evaluation of forty years of research, Pierre Bourdieu blends sociological theory, historical knowledge, and philosophical thought.

Bourdieu begins his discussion with a fundamental prerequisite that academic reason overlooks: skhole, or leisure, the root of words meaning "school" in Western languages and of "scholastic." Philosophers who ponder humanity, and "scholastic inclination" in general, do not consider that one needs leisure time to think. This significant oversight by academic reason in philosophical anthropology has grave consequences. Bourdieu directs his arrows of criticism not only at academic reason itself but also at the speculations it makes about those outside the "scholastic inclination": while fiercely questioning the assumption of a "subject" who believes himself free and knows what he is doing, he systematically displays the alternative conception of humanity underlying his work throughout his professional life. In this exposition, which takes place alongside "heretical" philosophers such as Wittgenstein, Austin, and Dewey, in addition to Pascal, themes like symbolic violence, power, interest, time, history, universality, and the sociological purpose of existence are approached with a new perspective.

A shocking yet beautiful book that we believe will be read with interest by those interested in social sciences and philosophy.