Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science

Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science

by Alan Sokal, Jean Bricmont

320 pages· 1999· ISBN 9780312204075
About
In 1996, Alan Sokal published an essay in the hip intellectual magazine Social Text parodying the scientific but impenetrable lingo of contemporary theorists. Here, Sokal teams up with Jean Bricmont to expose the abuse of scientific concepts in the writings of today's most fashionable postmodern thinkers. From Jacques Lacan and Julia Kristeva to Luce Irigaray and Jean Baudrillard, the authors document the errors made by some postmodernists using science to bolster their arguments and theories. Witty and closely reasoned, Fashionable Nonsense dispels the notion that scientific theories are mere "narratives" or social constructions, and explored the abilities and the limits of science to describe the conditions of existence.

Discuss Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science with other readers

Join or start a book club for Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science on Readfeed. Live chat, shared reading progress, and AI discussion questions — free to get started.

Frequently asked questions

How do I join a book club for Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science?

Sign up free on Readfeed, then browse public clubs or start your own club with Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science as the current read. Invite friends with a share link and discuss together with live chat and AI discussion questions.

Can I discuss Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science with other readers online?

Yes. Readfeed book clubs let you chat live, share progress, and join discussions about Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals' Abuse of Science with readers worldwide — whether your club is virtual, in-person, or hybrid.

Is Readfeed free?

Yes. Creating an account and joining book clubs is free. Sign up to find readers who love the same books and start discussing today.