In this insightful book, distinguished political scientist John G. Gunnell explores the relationship between social science and philosophy, and the range of problems that have attended this relationship. Gunnell argues that social science has turned to philosophy, especially to areas such as the philosophy of science and other sites of philosophical foundationalism, in search of cognitive identity and the grounds for normative and empirical judgment. Gunnell's emphasis is on political and social theory and the theoretical constitution of social phenomena. The Orders of Discourse will be of interest to political theorists, political philosophers, and social scientists.

John G. Gunnell is distinguished professor of political science at SUNY, Albany. He is the author of The Descent of Political Theory: The Genealogy of an American Vocation.

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 3 Metapractices
Chapter 4 Conventional Objects
Chapter 5 Relativism
Chapter 6 Theoretical Realism
Chapter 7 Interpretation
Chapter 8 Speaking Politically
Chapter 9 References
Chapter 10 Index