Theodor Adorno: Difference between revisions
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'''Theodor W. Adorno''' (b. 1903, d. 1969) was a German philosopher, sociologist and musicologist with Marxist pretensions | '''Theodor W. Adorno''' (b. 1903, d. 1969) was a German philosopher, sociologist, composer and musicologist with Marxist pretensions. He was responsible for the creation of the [[Critical Theory]] phenomenon as a key member of the [[Frankfurt School]] of [[critical theory]] along with [[Max Horkheimer]] and [[Walter Benjamin]]. Adorno was very influencial in the post-[[World War 2|World War 2]] [[Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]]. Critical Theory spread from its base at the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt across much of the world, affecting eventually not just philosophy departments but English and Sociology too. | ||
Modifying Marx's own theories, Adorno said that the two terrors of modern life - injustice and nihilism - stem from the Enlightenment elevation of abstract reason over subjectivity and sensuality. Instead Adorno tries to recreate the 'dynamic links' between the mind and its objects. His writings have been influential in the study of [[mass culture]], specifically, the [[Culture Industry]]. | Modifying Marx's own theories, Adorno said that the two terrors of modern life - injustice and nihilism - stem from the Enlightenment elevation of abstract reason over subjectivity and sensuality. Instead Adorno tries to recreate the 'dynamic links' between the mind and its objects. His writings have been influential in the study of [[mass culture]], specifically, the [[Culture Industry]]. | ||
Adorno was highly critical of ''[[methodology]]'' and [[Dialectic|dialectics]] in philosophy, suggesting that methods simply confirm the inherent biases in their premises. | Adorno was highly critical of ''[[methodology]]'' and [[Dialectic|dialectics]] in philosophy, suggesting that methods simply confirm the inherent biases in their premises. | ||
Revision as of 12:20, 23 March 2010
Theodor W. Adorno (b. 1903, d. 1969) was a German philosopher, sociologist, composer and musicologist with Marxist pretensions. He was responsible for the creation of the Critical Theory phenomenon as a key member of the Frankfurt School of critical theory along with Max Horkheimer and Walter Benjamin. Adorno was very influencial in the post-World War 2 Federal Republic of Germany. Critical Theory spread from its base at the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt across much of the world, affecting eventually not just philosophy departments but English and Sociology too.
Modifying Marx's own theories, Adorno said that the two terrors of modern life - injustice and nihilism - stem from the Enlightenment elevation of abstract reason over subjectivity and sensuality. Instead Adorno tries to recreate the 'dynamic links' between the mind and its objects. His writings have been influential in the study of mass culture, specifically, the Culture Industry.
Adorno was highly critical of methodology and dialectics in philosophy, suggesting that methods simply confirm the inherent biases in their premises.