MACMILLAN Time, Science and the Critique of Technological Reason: Essays in Honour of Hermínio Martins (St Antony's Series)

This festschrift commemorates the legacy of UK-based Portuguese sociologist Hermínio Martins (1934-2015). It introduces Martins’ wide-ranging contributions to the social sciences, encompassing seminal works in the fields of philosophy and social theory, historical and political sociology, studies of science and technology, and Luso-Brazilian studies, among others. The book features an in-depth interview with Martins, short memoirs, and twelve chapters addressing topics that were central to his intellectual  and political interests. Among those that stand out are his critique of Thomas Kuhn’s theory of scientific revolutions, his work on the significance of time in social theory and the interweaving of techno-scientific developments and socio-cultural transformations, including the impact of communication and digital technologies, and of market-led eugenics. Other themes covered are Martins’ work on patrimonialism and social development in Portugal and Brazil, and his analysis of the state of the social sciences  in Portugal, which reflects his highly critical appraisal of the ongoing marketization andneoliberalization of academic life and institutions worldwide. Review “This volume is ample testimony not to what sociology was over the past half a century or so, but what it could have been, and might still become. It contains writings by eminent sociologists who could not have been brought together but for Hermínio Martins, living testimonies to his scholarship, erudition, and insights. Hermínio Martins never respected disciplinary and subdisciplinary categories, pursuing ideas and thinkers that were out of fashion as they offered a challenging diagnosis of our own condition and the disciplinary status quo that rather avoided facing it. Central for this is the philosophical sociology of technology, targeting the perhaps greatest contemporary sacred cows.” (Arpad Szakolczai, Professor of Sociology, University College Cork, Ireland) “This Festschrift is truly a feast of ideas. It captivated and mesmerised me. The various contributions reflect the diverse, erudite and original sociological reflections of Martins and invite the reader to explore his exceptional visionary and challenging work.” (Cristóbal Kay, Emeritus Professor, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands, Professorial Research Associate, SOAS, University of London, UK, & Emeritus Professor, FLACSO Ecuador, Ecuador) “Hermínio Martins was a deep and creative thinker across a range of sociological questions. This book honours him with insightful analyses in many of his interest areas: time and social transformation; the meaning and impact of scientific innovation and new technologies; democracy, communication and knowledge; and social structure in Portugal and Brazil. Work of such quality is a fitting tribute.” (Craig Calhoun, President, Berggruen Institute, USA) “This is a truly delightful book, an excursion through the world of sociology in its most glorious days―the second half of the twentieth century―seen by the eyes of a sharp, rigorous, critical observer and committed intervener. The volume is skilfully organized to allow the intellectually curious yet uninformed about Martins's work to enter progressively into his rich, humane, sensible and at the same time powerful and eloquent universe.” (Onésimo T. de Almeida, Professor of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies, Brown University, USA) From the Back Cover This festschrift commemorates the legacy of UK-based Portuguese sociologist Hermínio Martins (1934-2015). It introduces Martins’ wide-ranging contributions to the social sciences, encompassing seminal works in the fields of philosophy and social theory, historical and political sociology, studies of science and technology, and Luso-Brazilian studies, among others. The book features an in-depth interview with Martins, short memoirs, and twelve chapters addressing topics that were central to his intellectual  and