Bibliograph

Critical theory, a very short introduction, Stephen Eric Bronner

Type

Label

Critical theory, a very short introduction, Stephen Eric Bronner

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 117-121) and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Critical theory

Medium

electronic resource

Nature of contents

bibliographydictionaries

Oclc number

707923174

Responsibility statement

Stephen Eric Bronner

Series statement

Very short introductions

Sub title

a very short introduction

Summary

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 Lukacs 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

Table Of Contents

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

Classification