The Orders of Discourse: Philosophy, Social Science, and Politics

This book presents the most systematic and powerful statement of John Gunnell’s Wittgenstein-inspired critique of the epistemological project of validating political theory and the social sciences. — John Horton, Keele University ― Political Science

In a number of chapters Gunnell shows how various metapractices have claimed far too much for themselves and have consequently impeded progress or right understanding in the practices on which they reflect. ― The Review of Politics

This interesting and provocative book marks the culmination of Gunnell’s work in recent years on the relationship between philosophy and social science. ― International Science Review

Sobering and provocative book. ― Ethics: An International Journal of Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy

Worth reading even if only for its synoptic accounts of virtually every contemporary theorist of note. Highly recommended… — D.H. Rice, University of Arkansas at Little Rock ― CHOICE, April 1999

Clearly written, densely argued. ― Journal of American Politics

An interesting book. ― Economics and Philosophy