Legislators and Interpreters - by Zygmunt Bauman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The book discusses the role of intellectuals in the modern world. Bauman connects this with current analyses of modernity and post-modernity. The theme of the book is that the tasks of intellectuals change from being 'legislators' to 'interpreters' with the transition from modernity to post-modernity.
The book discusses the role of intellectuals in the modern world. Bauman connects this with current analyses of modernity and post-modernity. The theme of the book is that the tasks of intellectuals change from being 'legislators' to 'interpreters' with the transition from modernity to post-modernity.

From the Back Cover

What is the role of intellectuals in the modern world? How does intellectual work connect to modern cultural development as a whole? Bauman answers these questions through a discussion of the nature of modernism and post-modernism in the analysis of culture.

During the period at which it was assumed that there were ready ways of assessing the truth of beliefs, intellectuals used to 'legislate' about opinions for the rest of the community. But today, in the period of post-modernism, there are many competing value-systems and beliefs. Intellectuals today become 'interpreters', representing different standpoints in relation to one another. In brilliant and telling fashion, Bauman draws out the implications of this change for contemporary cultural analysis.

This book will be of basic interest to students and professionals in cultural studies, sociology, politics and the history of ideas.

Review Quotes

'Astonishing and intriguing.' New Society

'This is the first book since The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe that I've read from cover to cover twice ... Bauman's book is endlessly fascinating.' Tribune

'Enthralling ... a fascinating pot-pourri of contemporary sociological preoccupations.' Times Literary Supplement

About the Author

Zygmunt Bauman (1925-2017) was Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Leeds. His many books have become international bestsellers and have been translated into more than thirty languages. He was awarded the Theodor W. Adorno prize for 1998.