The Natural Law Foundations of Modern Social Theory

After several decades in which it became a prime target for critique, universalism remains one of the most important issues in social and political thought. Daniel Chernilo reassesses social theory's universalistic orientation and explains its origins in natural law theory, using an impressive array of classical and contemporary sources that include, among others, Habermas, Leo Strauss, Weber, Marx, Hegel, Rousseau and Hobbes. The Natural Law Foundations of Modern Social Theory challenges previous accounts of the rise of social theory, recovers a strong idea of humanity, and revisits conventional arguments on sociology's relationship to modernity, the enlightenment and natural law. It reconnects social theory to its scientific and philosophical roots, its descriptive and normative tasks and its historical and systematic planes. Chernilo's defense of universalism for contemporary social theory will surely engage students of sociology, political theory and moral philosophy alike. Advance praise: 'A striking defense of universalism in philosophy and social theory. Daniel Chernilo outlines a compelling narrative on the sublation of natural law by social theory. He demonstrates that natural law is not only overcome by modern social theory but that a hard core survived criticism, and came back with ever better justifications.' Hauke Brunkhorst, University of Flensburg 'This superb book is a major contribution to the history of social theory and to our understanding of natural law theory.' William Outhwaite, Newcastle University 'Against a background of postmodern thought with its emphasis on particularity and relativism, Daniel Chernilo offers a robust defence of the ongoing relevance of natural law and universalism for modern social theory that takes seriously the idea of a common humanity. A brilliant excursus into the continuities of social theory, the intellectual results of his investigation are important and compelling.' Bryan S. Turner, Presidential Professor of Sociology, City University of New YorkIntroduction; Part I. On the Relationships between Social Theory and Natural Law: 1. Contemporary social theory and natural law: Jurgen Habermas; 2. A natural law critique of modern social theory: Karl Lowith, Leo Strauss and Eric Voegelin; Part II. Natural Law: 3. Natural law and the question of universalism; 4. Modern natural law I: Hobbes and Rousseau on the state of nature and social life; 5. Modern natural law II: Kant and Hegel on proceduralism and ethical life; Part III. Classical Social Theory: 6. Classical social theory I: Marx, Tonnies and Durkheim on alienation, community and society; 7. Classical social theory II: Simmel and Weber on the universality of sociability and reasonableness; 8. Social theory as the natural law of 'artificial' social relations; Epilogue.