From the birth of philosophy to the dawn of modern social science, the issue of method has been central to the task of acquiring knowledge about ourselves—our being in the world. At a time when empirical science dominates because of its utility, it is important to be reminded that philosophy and philosophical reflection also provide insight and “useful” knowledge about the contemporary social realm in which we live.

In this book are contributions from some of the most prominent thinkers and experts in philosophy-driven methods, such as phenomenology, hermeneutics, and semiotics. This international body of scholars discuss the issue of method itself, as well as bring those methods to bear on some of the most prominent issues of our time in the areas of media, culture and criticism.