The practice of theory, the theory of practice∗

Abstract

The last several years have witnessed the emergence of an antitheory movement that has called into question the practice of theory itself. In many respects the call for an “end to theory” is allied with similar calls for the “end of ’man’’,” the “end of universalism,” and the “end of philosophy”—antihumanism, antiuniversalism, and antiphilosophy. Humanism stands accused of being a form of anthropocentrism; universalism is denounced in the name of localism or particularism; and philosophy, perhaps the supreme instance of theory, is criticized for being hopelessly “logocentric.” Two fairly representative spokespeople for this attack are Richard Rorty in (post)philosophy and Stanley Fish in literary studies.