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The Poverty of Truth-Seeking

Postmodernism, Discourse Analysis and Critical Feminism

University of Calgary, lmiller{at}ucalgary.ca

In this article I examine one of the thorniest aspects of the relationship between feminism and postmodernism, in order to see what a discursive analytic approach can contribute to this important debate. The problem I refer to concerns the threat that the postmodern turn-despite its benefits-is said to pose for a politically committed feminism. I begin with a brief recapping of the postmodernist challenge to the tenets of social science. I then advance a two-part argument promoting discourse analysis for feminist scholars who seek to benefit from postmodernism's respect for difference and inclusivity, yet refuse to give up a critical perspective. The first part of the argument deals with the charge that the postmodern turn disables critical inquiry; the second with the related debate over the need for `generalizing' or `totalizing' concepts (e.g. the concept `women') in the service of a feminist politics. I argue that postmodernist scholars' wide-spread tendency to discuss language outside its context of use has hobbled their ability to respond to this serious challenge, and I suggest that a closer look at routine talk can help feminists reframe these debates about politicality in helpful ways.

Key Words: critical feminism • discourse analysis • feminism and post-modernism • unity and difference

Theory & Psychology, Vol. 10, No. 3, 313-352 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/0959354300103002


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