Queer Social Philosophy

"Although queer theory is a predominantly American invention, its insights have rested on those of European critical theory. In Queer Social Philosophy, however, Randall Halle uses the former to critique the latter, conducting the first sustained queer critique of seminal works in German critical theory, including those by Kant, Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Adorno, and Habermas. While acknowledging these figures' positive contributions to the social philosophy of modernity, Halle exposes the restrictions of gender and sexuality that limit their texts' claims to universal truth and moves beyond them to explore the possibilities of a queer social philosophy." "At the same time, Halle's culturally and historically grounded critiques expand queer theory beyond the American academy for Queer Social Philosophy contribution to contemporary debates about sexuality, civil society, and political activism."--BOOK JACKET.