Fred Dallmayr ─ Critical Phenomenology, Cross-cultural Theory, Cosmopolitanism

Fred Dallmayr has placed himself on the cusp between Western modernity and an emerging global "transmodernity." Rejecting the Westernized secularization of modern life, transmodernity seeks a synthetic, novel form of modernity that is genuinely global, anti-Eurocentric and anti-imperialist in its thrust. It is this critical and global approach toward modernity that characterizes Dallmayr's vast corpus. From the earliest moments of a career spanning over five decades, Dalllmayr's work has rethought some of the central concepts of modern political philosophy. Above all, it has challenged the hegemony of a modern "subjectivity" at the heart of Western liberalism, individualism, and rationalism, thereby clearing a space for alternative voices, claims and ideas.

Drawing together some of the key works of this prolific theorist, the chapters witihn this volume are chosen to highlight some of the most important themes explored by Dallmayr, critical phenomenology, cross-cultural theory ( or comparative political theory); and cosmopolitanism. Framed by a new introduction written by Farah Godrej and an interview with Dallmayr commissioned for the volume, this work will provide a vital resource for political theorists and political scientists alike.