Critical theory: a very short introduction

Description

Critical Theory emerged in the 1920s from the work of the Frankfurt School, the circle of German-Jewish academics who sought to diagnose-and, if at all possible, cure-the ills of society, particularly fascism and capitalism. In this book, Stephen Eric Bronner provides sketches of leading representatives of the critical tradition (such as George Lukács and Ernst Bloch, Theodor Adorno and Walter Benjamin, Herbert Marcuse and Jurgen Habermas) as well as many of its seminal texts and empirical investigations. This Very Short Introduction sheds light on the cluster of concepts and themes that set critical theory apart from its more traditional philosophical competitors. Bronner explains and discusses concepts such as method and agency, alienation and reification, the culture industry and repressive tolerance, non-identity and utopia. He argues for the introduction of new categories and perspectives for illuminating the obstacles to progressive change and focusing upon hidden transformative possibilities. Only a critique of critical theory can render it salient for a new age. That is precisely what this very short introduction provides. Number of Words in Auth: 3 Formats : EPUB Number of Formats : 1 Formats : This function can be used only in the GUI Has Cover : Yes All Identifiers : isbn:9780199730070 Test Text Series Index: 265 Single Author : Stephen Eric Bronner Original Source : New Epubs from KAT Wk 1C Sorted Author by LN, FN: Bronner, Stephen Eric Title Length : 015 Title Parm D : Critical Theory Title Parm G : Critical Theory Num of Aut : 1 Title Parm B : ( Record ID : 10560 Template Work Area : 265 ES Name : Very Short Introductions 265 Uncomma Author : Stephen Eric Bronner Title Parm A : Critical Theory Content: Introduction : what is critical theory? -- The frankfurt school -- A matter of method -- Alienation and reification -- Enlightened illusions -- Utopia and its discontents -- The happy consciousness -- The great refusal -- From resignation to renewal.