The Study In Terry Eagleton's After Theory

Terry Eagleton holds that the golden age of cultural theory is long past, but After Theory does not declare the end of the theory . Beginning with the concept of "theory" ,This thesis analyzes the background of After Theory on the basis of the rise and fall of the theory and Terry Eagleton's criticism for postmodernism. Moreover , the thesis starts with the current study of cultural theory to find out the basic characteristics and meanings of Terry Eagleton' cultural theory. Thinking about the losses of cultural theory , we rebuild the base of philosophy in term of truth and objectivity stressed by Terry Eagleton. On the basis of the relationship between cultural theory and morality, Terry Eagleton reconstructs the relationship between morality and politics though the discussion of Aristotle's classical virtue, his Marxism tradition and papistical background. He leads people to improve their morality in practice. Terry Eagleton' idea about cultural theory shows that there are two possibilities of epoch developing of "After Theory", hoping to change the society to achieve socialism by reformation or revolution rather than evil artifice and fundamentalism. This thesis tries to study After Theory in the combination of west civilization, Terry Eagleton's thoughts and the developments of Marxism, making us further understand the literature theory and historical significance. Therefore, we can reduce the roughness in the process of considering the relationship between western cultural theory and morality.