Debating Humanity Towards a Philosophical Sociology

Debating Humanity Towards a Philosophical Sociology by Daniel Chernilo, published by Cambridge University Press on April 20, 2017, is a comprehensive exploration of the sociological and philosophical dimensions that define humanity. This 262-page work delves into the foundational debates surrounding humanism, particularly the discourse between Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger in the 1940s, while also addressing contemporary posthumanism and its normative contradictions.

Readers will find a thorough examination of anthropological arguments presented by seven influential postwar theorists, including concepts such as self-transcendence, adaptation, and responsibility. Chernilo’s interdisciplinary approach aims to articulate a universalistic principle of humanity, which he argues is essential for a nuanced understanding of social life. The book engages with subjects like social history, philosophy, and sociology, making it a significant contribution to discussions on humanism and its implications in the social sciences.