Theorizing social change

Zheng, R. (2022) Theorizing social change. Philosophy Compass, 17(4), e12815. (doi: 10.1111/phc3.12815)

Abstract

In this article I argue that social change deserves to be recognized as an area of philosophical study in its own right. I provide a non-exhaustive overview of existing philosophical work that addresses the problem of social change, alongside a preliminary framework elucidating some key concepts and distinctions for conceptualizing transformative social change. More specifically, I sketch out two broadly opposed approaches to social change — “liberal” versus radical — in order to excavate some assumptions underlying extant philosophical literatures (and popular thinking) about change. I then briefly outline some other fundamental problems common to all processes of social change.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Zheng, Dr Robin
• Authors: Zheng, R.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Journal Name: Philosophy Compass
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1747-9991
• ISSN (Online): 1747-9991
• Published Online: 31 January 2022
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2022 The Author
• First Published: First published in Philosophy Compass 17(4): e12815
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence