Critical Theory By Jessica Studer, Kari Carlson, and Chris Logan

Critical TheoryCritical TheoryBy Jessica Studer, Kari By Jessica Studer, Kari

Carlson, and Chris LoganCarlson, and Chris Logan

Roots of Critical TheoryRoots of Critical Theory

• This school of thought emerged from This school of thought emerged from the work of German theorists the work of German theorists collectively known as The Frankfurt collectively known as The Frankfurt School. The roots of Critical Theory School. The roots of Critical Theory are directly centered in the creation are directly centered in the creation of The Institute for Social Research of The Institute for Social Research and the social thinkers who and the social thinkers who promoted the Idealism of Karl Marx.promoted the Idealism of Karl Marx.

Institute for Social ResearchInstitute for Social Research• The first Marxist oriented research school was in The first Marxist oriented research school was in

Europe Europe Scholars at school developed a critical theory of Scholars at school developed a critical theory of

society called society called kritisch Theroriekritisch Therorie which was designed which was designed for a specific approach to interpreting Marxismfor a specific approach to interpreting Marxism

This approach sought to revise Marx’s. Critique of This approach sought to revise Marx’s. Critique of capitalism and the idea that revolution was the capitalism and the idea that revolution was the best way to change the social and political best way to change the social and political structure since his deathstructure since his death

The first president of the school was Carl The first president of the school was Carl Grundberg, who wanted Scientific MarxismGrundberg, who wanted Scientific Marxism

Max Horkheimer, the second president, wanted a Max Horkheimer, the second president, wanted a more philosophical and less dogmatic approach more philosophical and less dogmatic approach which was open to diverse intellectual currentswhich was open to diverse intellectual currents

The dilemma that the first generation of Critical The dilemma that the first generation of Critical Theorists had “to reconcile was Marx’s Theorists had “to reconcile was Marx’s emancipatory dream with the stark reality of emancipatory dream with the stark reality of modern society as conceptualized by Max Weber” modern society as conceptualized by Max Weber” (pg. 232)(pg. 232)

Institute for Social Research Institute for Social Research Cont.Cont.• The school was restrained by Adolf Hitler The school was restrained by Adolf Hitler

and had its Jewish members exiled and had its Jewish members exiled School was relocated to Columbia university School was relocated to Columbia university

in 1934in 1934 The term Critical Theory was coined in 1937 The term Critical Theory was coined in 1937

(this concept was initially a type of code (this concept was initially a type of code which, while differentiating is adherents which, while differentiating is adherents from prevailing forms of orthodoxy, also from prevailing forms of orthodoxy, also tended to veil radical comments in an tended to veil radical comments in an environment that was hostile to anything environment that was hostile to anything remotely associated with Marxism)remotely associated with Marxism)

In 1953 school had re-established in post In 1953 school had re-established in post Germany where they were still subject to Germany where they were still subject to attack in press and academia attack in press and academia

G.W.F. Hegel (1931-)G.W.F. Hegel (1931-)

Hegel’s Hegel’s Phenomenology Of The MindPhenomenology Of The Mind gave two important influences on gave two important influences on Critical Theory. First, the Critical Theory. First, the critiquecritique which took form of internal or which took form of internal or immanent examination of various immanent examination of various sources of deception, illusion, and sources of deception, illusion, and distortion the mind goes through on distortion the mind goes through on the journey to absolute knowledge. the journey to absolute knowledge. Second, the belief that human history Second, the belief that human history expresses an immanent telos, which expresses an immanent telos, which is the liberation of individual and is the liberation of individual and species from a system of constraints species from a system of constraints of the peoples own minds. A key of the peoples own minds. A key component to understanding Hegel is component to understanding Hegel is that he assumes that humans are that he assumes that humans are driven by a common interest in driven by a common interest in freedom.freedom.

Georg (Gyorgy) Lukacs Georg (Gyorgy) Lukacs (1885-1971)(1885-1971)

His publication His publication History and Class History and Class ConsciousnessConsciousness argued “that argued “that subjectivity is annihilated by subjectivity is annihilated by commodity production”commodity production”

Blended Marx’s ideas of fetishism Blended Marx’s ideas of fetishism of commodities with the belief of commodities with the belief that rationality is penetrating that rationality is penetrating more spheres of modern lifemore spheres of modern life

It is said that Lukacs’ analyses of It is said that Lukacs’ analyses of alienation, commodity fetishism, alienation, commodity fetishism, subjectivity, consciousness, and subjectivity, consciousness, and spontaneous action are the spontaneous action are the theoretical bridge to Critical theoretical bridge to Critical theorytheory

Max Horkheimer (1895-Max Horkheimer (1895-1973)1973) Chair of social philosophy and then Chair of social philosophy and then

director of The Institute for Social director of The Institute for Social ResearchResearch

Institute under his supervision was Institute under his supervision was oriented to developing social theory oriented to developing social theory on an interdisciplinary basis. He on an interdisciplinary basis. He wanted this theory to benefit from wanted this theory to benefit from both the reflective capacity of both the reflective capacity of philosophy and the rigorous philosophy and the rigorous procedures of the individual sciencesprocedures of the individual sciences

Saw society as a totality that was Saw society as a totality that was continuously restructuring itself continuously restructuring itself which resulted in the idea of social which resulted in the idea of social absolute or a complete or perfect absolute or a complete or perfect state of social phenomenon being state of social phenomenon being criticizedcriticized

Horkheimer Cont.Horkheimer Cont.

Endorsed the idea that there is no absolute truth of Endorsed the idea that there is no absolute truth of reality reality

Thought Manheim’s Sociology of knowledge to be Thought Manheim’s Sociology of knowledge to be practically no less than theoretically wrongheaded practically no less than theoretically wrongheaded and in his essay “Traditional and Critical Theory” and in his essay “Traditional and Critical Theory” distinguishes itself from Manheim and emphasizes distinguishes itself from Manheim and emphasizes a dialectical representation of Marx’s critique of a dialectical representation of Marx’s critique of political economy which was to be the analytical political economy which was to be the analytical framework for critical theoryframework for critical theory

• Maintained the idea that there are no general Maintained the idea that there are no general criteria for critical theory as a whole since it criteria for critical theory as a whole since it depended on a repetition of events, Horkheimer depended on a repetition of events, Horkheimer said critical theory aims to asses the breach said critical theory aims to asses the breach between ideas and reality between ideas and reality

Theodor Wisengaurd-Theodor Wisengaurd-Adorno (1903-1969)Adorno (1903-1969) Attempted to establish a critical Attempted to establish a critical

social consciousnesssocial consciousness Argued that objects exist for us Argued that objects exist for us

through conceptualitythrough conceptuality• In In Negative Dialectics,Negative Dialectics, he he

insisted that the dialectic insisted that the dialectic approach is not a middle point approach is not a middle point between absolutism and reality between absolutism and reality and was against the idea that and was against the idea that critical theory should merely critical theory should merely criticize one point of view in criticize one point of view in favor of another favor of another

Defining Critical TheoryDefining Critical Theory

• There is no clear cut definition and the There is no clear cut definition and the term itself is confused with literary term itself is confused with literary criticism and other approaches to criticism and other approaches to social theory could be consider critical social theory could be consider critical

Critical theory offers a multidisciplinary Critical theory offers a multidisciplinary approach to society, is subject to approach to society, is subject to change but is rooted in the dialectical change but is rooted in the dialectical tradition of Marx and Hegeltradition of Marx and Hegel

Critical Theory Cont.Critical Theory Cont. Argues to have six Marxian tenets associated Argues to have six Marxian tenets associated

with critical theory which are:with critical theory which are:1.1. We lie in a society dominated by the capitalist mode of We lie in a society dominated by the capitalist mode of

production, and a society based on exchange principals pf production, and a society based on exchange principals pf value and profitvalue and profit

2.2. The commodity character of products is not simply The commodity character of products is not simply determined by their exchange value, but by their being determined by their exchange value, but by their being abstractly exchanged though laborabstractly exchanged though labor

3.3. Capitalist society ensures fetishism reificationCapitalist society ensures fetishism reification4.4. Capitalism is not a harmonious social world. Contradictions Capitalism is not a harmonious social world. Contradictions

between socially generated illusions and actuality lead to between socially generated illusions and actuality lead to potential crisis potential crisis

5.5. The free market is progressively replaced by the oligarchies The free market is progressively replaced by the oligarchies and monopolistic mass production of standardized goodsand monopolistic mass production of standardized goods

6.6. The progressive rise on the organic composition of capital The progressive rise on the organic composition of capital per worker exacerbates the inherently unstable per worker exacerbates the inherently unstable accumulation processes. In order to sustain the process its accumulation processes. In order to sustain the process its protagonists utilize all means of available including protagonists utilize all means of available including imperialist expansion imperialist expansion

Hebert Marcuse (1898-Hebert Marcuse (1898-1979)1979) BackgroundBackground

• Born in Berlin to a prosperous Jewish family Born in Berlin to a prosperous Jewish family • After serving in German Army in WWI, became After serving in German Army in WWI, became

associated with the Social Democratic Party associated with the Social Democratic Party • Left party in 1919 in protest over betrayal of the Left party in 1919 in protest over betrayal of the

proletariatproletariat• Went on to study philosophy at the universities of Went on to study philosophy at the universities of

Berlin and FreiburgBerlin and Freiburg• In December 1942 joined the Office of War In December 1942 joined the Office of War

Information as a senior analyst in the Bureau of Information as a senior analyst in the Bureau of Intelligence Intelligence

• Taught at Columbia and HarvardTaught at Columbia and Harvard• While there began research which led to writing While there began research which led to writing

of of Soviet MarxismSoviet Marxism• Gained world status during 1960s as a philosopher, Gained world status during 1960s as a philosopher,

social theorist, and political activistsocial theorist, and political activist• Career represents a constant attempt to examine, Career represents a constant attempt to examine,

defend, and reconstruct Marxist enterprisedefend, and reconstruct Marxist enterprise

Concepts and ContributionsConcepts and Contributions Critical TheoryCritical Theory• Stated that critical theory is a process of bringing Stated that critical theory is a process of bringing

consciousness potentialities that have emerged consciousness potentialities that have emerged within the maturing historical situationwithin the maturing historical situation

• Is a theory guided by political practiceIs a theory guided by political practice• Marcuse’s critical theory was influenced by Hegel Marcuse’s critical theory was influenced by Hegel

and Marxand Marx• Critical theory of society is essentially linked with Critical theory of society is essentially linked with

materialismmaterialism• There are two basic elements linking materialism There are two basic elements linking materialism

to correct social theory: to correct social theory: 1.1. Concern with human happinessConcern with human happiness2.2. Conviction that it can be attained through a Conviction that it can be attained through a

transformation of the material conditions of existencetransformation of the material conditions of existence• Combining thoughts of Hegel and Marx, he Combining thoughts of Hegel and Marx, he

concluded that history is the arena is which concluded that history is the arena is which humans seek the freedom to manifest universal humans seek the freedom to manifest universal rationalityrationality

Concepts and Contributions Concepts and Contributions Cont.Cont. Technological RationalityTechnological Rationality• An extension of Weber’s idea of rationalizationAn extension of Weber’s idea of rationalization• Defined term in his work, Defined term in his work, One-Dimensional ManOne-Dimensional Man• Argued that modern industrial society was Argued that modern industrial society was

dominated by a technological rationality, with dominated by a technological rationality, with the working middle class as its vocal supporter the working middle class as its vocal supporter and defenderand defender

• Concerned that the cost of material satisfaction Concerned that the cost of material satisfaction was the loss of individual freedoms and libertieswas the loss of individual freedoms and liberties

• Makes two claims:Makes two claims:1.1. The workers of industrial society are suffering from The workers of industrial society are suffering from

false consciousnessfalse consciousness2. The workers should not be happy with material 2. The workers should not be happy with material

satisfaction but should be striving for some unidentified satisfaction but should be striving for some unidentified nonmaterial satisfactionnonmaterial satisfaction

Concepts and Contributions Concepts and Contributions Cont.Cont.

The New LeftThe New Left

• Radical writings were a perfect match for his Radical writings were a perfect match for his place in timeplace in time

• He was looked upon as the guru of the New He was looked upon as the guru of the New LeftLeft

• Gave lectures and advice to student radicals Gave lectures and advice to student radicals

• Used the media to spread to word of Marxian Used the media to spread to word of Marxian theory, revolutionary vision, and libertarian theory, revolutionary vision, and libertarian socialism socialism


RevolutionRevolution• Entrenched in the Marxist tradition is the Entrenched in the Marxist tradition is the

necessity for revolutionnecessity for revolution• Argued that Marxian concept of revolution Argued that Marxian concept of revolution

implies continuity in changeimplies continuity in change• Proposed a global revolution where Proposed a global revolution where

capitalism is replaced by socialismcapitalism is replaced by socialism• The revolutionists that would challenge The revolutionists that would challenge

corporate capitalism are concentrated at corporate capitalism are concentrated at two opposite poles of society:two opposite poles of society:1. The ghetto population1. The ghetto population2. The middle class intelligentsia2. The middle class intelligentsia

Concepts and Contributions Concepts and Contributions Cont.Cont.Sexual RevolutionSexual Revolution

• In favor of the sexual revolutionIn favor of the sexual revolution• Against those who tried to impose sexual Against those who tried to impose sexual

codes of conduct on others in the name of codes of conduct on others in the name of religion, especially those who would invade religion, especially those who would invade the realm of individual privacythe realm of individual privacy

• For Marcuse, sexual repression was more For Marcuse, sexual repression was more than just another evil capitalism; it than just another evil capitalism; it represented the bourgeois concept of loverepresented the bourgeois concept of love

• In In NegationsNegations, he condemned the bourgeois , he condemned the bourgeois era as an attempt to isolate individuals era as an attempt to isolate individuals from their natural drivesfrom their natural drives

• Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he was Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he was one of the most influential radical theoristsone of the most influential radical theorists

Jurgen Habermas (1929-)Jurgen Habermas (1929-)

BackgroundBackground• Born in Gummersbach in 1929Born in Gummersbach in 1929• Grew up during Nazi regime and WWII: Two Grew up during Nazi regime and WWII: Two

influences that have a profound effect on his influences that have a profound effect on his thinking and writings thinking and writings

• Studied philosophy at Gottingen, Zurich, and Studied philosophy at Gottingen, Zurich, and Bonn, where he earned his doctorate in 1954Bonn, where he earned his doctorate in 1954

• In 1964 he became a professor of philosophy In 1964 he became a professor of philosophy at Frankfurtat Frankfurt

• Perhaps most well known of second generation Perhaps most well known of second generation of critical theoristsof critical theorists

• He was influenced by the works of Marx, He was influenced by the works of Marx, Weber, and the early members of the Weber, and the early members of the Frankfurt SchoolFrankfurt School

• Writings are steeped in the German traditionWritings are steeped in the German tradition

Concepts and ContributionsConcepts and Contributions Critical TheoryCritical Theory• In his article “The Tasks of a Critical Theory” he stated In his article “The Tasks of a Critical Theory” he stated

that the work of the Institute for Social Research was that the work of the Institute for Social Research was basically dominated by six themes:basically dominated by six themes:

1.1. The Forms of Integration in Postliberal Societies: The Forms of Integration in Postliberal Societies: Whether in a democracy or totalitarian regimesWhether in a democracy or totalitarian regimes

2.2. Gamily Socialization and Ego Development: The Gamily Socialization and Ego Development: The structural change of the bourgeois nuclear family and structural change of the bourgeois nuclear family and the weakening of the authoritarian position of the fatherthe weakening of the authoritarian position of the father

3.3. Mass Media and Mass Culture: The development of a Mass Media and Mass Culture: The development of a culture industry for the manipulative control of culture industry for the manipulative control of consciousnessconsciousness

4.4. The Social Psychology behind Cessation of Protest: The Social Psychology behind Cessation of Protest: Political consciousness of workers and employeesPolitical consciousness of workers and employees

5.5. The Theory of Art: The arts as the preferred object of an The Theory of Art: The arts as the preferred object of an ideologyideology

6.6. The Critique of Positivisim and Science: Science as a tool The Critique of Positivisim and Science: Science as a tool of the bourgeoisieof the bourgeoisie

Concepts and ContributionsConcepts and ContributionsCritical Theory Cont.Critical Theory Cont.• His critical theory was inspired by classical His critical theory was inspired by classical

Greek and German philosophy, which Greek and German philosophy, which stressed the inseparability of truth and stressed the inseparability of truth and virtue, of facts and values, and of theory virtue, of facts and values, and of theory and practiceand practice

• Wanted a society where people are free to Wanted a society where people are free to assemble and communicate openlyassemble and communicate openly

• Communication and understanding of Communication and understanding of language are the keys to understanding language are the keys to understanding and comprehending knowledgeand comprehending knowledge

• Described the ideal speech situation as Described the ideal speech situation as one that is un-coerced, free for all people, one that is un-coerced, free for all people, and in which all people are treated equallyand in which all people are treated equally


Communication TheoryCommunication Theory• Concerned with reformulating Marxian theory in the Concerned with reformulating Marxian theory in the

light of twentieth-century social changeslight of twentieth-century social changes• Expands Marx’s conception of humanity by adding Expands Marx’s conception of humanity by adding

language to work as a distinct feature of species-language to work as a distinct feature of species-beingbeing

• To escape the philosophical historical materialism of To escape the philosophical historical materialism of Marxist thought, he proposed that a theory cannot be Marxist thought, he proposed that a theory cannot be tied to concrete ideals of human lifetied to concrete ideals of human life

• Instead, it must orient itself to the range of learning Instead, it must orient itself to the range of learning processes that are opened at any given time processes that are opened at any given time

• The use of language as a significant aspect of human The use of language as a significant aspect of human development led Habermas to concentrate on how development led Habermas to concentrate on how undistorted communication might lay the foundation undistorted communication might lay the foundation for the emancipation of individualsfor the emancipation of individuals

Concepts and ContribtionsConcepts and Contribtions

Communication Theory Cont.Communication Theory Cont.• Distorted communication is similar to Distorted communication is similar to

Marx’s false consciousnessMarx’s false consciousness• Use of undistorted communication reveals Use of undistorted communication reveals

the influence of Freudian psychoanalysis the influence of Freudian psychoanalysis on his communication theoryon his communication theory

• Argued that individual’s life worlds are Argued that individual’s life worlds are influenced by constant interaction with influenced by constant interaction with others and with society’s social structuresothers and with society’s social structures

Concepts and Contributions Concepts and Contributions Cont.Cont.Rationality and ModernityRationality and Modernity

• Critical of Western industrial democracies for their Critical of Western industrial democracies for their reduction of the human world to some form of economic reduction of the human world to some form of economic efficiencyefficiency

• Believed that rationality-the ability to think logically and Believed that rationality-the ability to think logically and analytically-is more than a strategic calculation of how to analytically-is more than a strategic calculation of how to achieve some chosen end; it is a form of communicative achieve some chosen end; it is a form of communicative actionaction

• Rational behavior serves the individual’s best interest and Rational behavior serves the individual’s best interest and is a key ingredient in understanding others during social is a key ingredient in understanding others during social behaviorbehavior

• Ideas of rationality led him to explain modernityIdeas of rationality led him to explain modernity• The concepts of rationality and modernity come together in The concepts of rationality and modernity come together in

his examination of the life worldhis examination of the life world• Also critical of scientism-identifying knowledge with Also critical of scientism-identifying knowledge with

science-because of its relation to positivismscience-because of its relation to positivism• Believed that critical theory should be a critique of Believed that critical theory should be a critique of

knowledge, opposed positivism because it attempted to knowledge, opposed positivism because it attempted to objective knowledgeobjective knowledge


DemocracyDemocracy• Democracy must be seen first and foremost as Democracy must be seen first and foremost as

a process that results when certain kind of a process that results when certain kind of social interaction prevailssocial interaction prevails

• Democracy should be seen as a particular way Democracy should be seen as a particular way by which citizens make collective and rational by which citizens make collective and rational decisionsdecisions

• Envisioned a deliberate democracy where a Envisioned a deliberate democracy where a government’s laws and institutions would be a government’s laws and institutions would be a reflection of free and open public discussionreflection of free and open public discussion

• According to Habermas, modern democracies According to Habermas, modern democracies of the West are dominated by political of the West are dominated by political legitimation legitimation

Douglas Kellner (1943-)Douglas Kellner (1943-)

BackgroundBackground• Born in 1943 Born in 1943 • Received his Ph.D. from Received his Ph.D. from

Columbia University in 1973 Columbia University in 1973 • Known for his systematic and Known for his systematic and

critical review of television in the critical review of television in the U.S. U.S.

• He believes that the media, He believes that the media, television in particular, have long television in particular, have long served the interests of the served the interests of the powerful powerful

Concepts and ContributionsConcepts and ContributionsCritical TheoryCritical Theory• Kellner’s critical theory is based on the premise that Kellner’s critical theory is based on the premise that

we have not moved into a postmodern, or we have not moved into a postmodern, or postindustrial age, but rather that capitalism postindustrial age, but rather that capitalism continues to reign supreme, as it did in the heyday of continues to reign supreme, as it did in the heyday of critical theory. critical theory.

• Kellner described Kellner described technocapitalismtechnocapitalism as a capitalist as a capitalist society structured so that technical and scientific society structured so that technical and scientific knowledge, automation, computers, and advanced knowledge, automation, computers, and advanced technology play such a significant role in the process technology play such a significant role in the process of production that they parallel the role of human of production that they parallel the role of human labor power in early capitalism. labor power in early capitalism.

• Kellner does not endeavor to develop a full-scale Kellner does not endeavor to develop a full-scale theory of techno-capitalism. His main point is that theory of techno-capitalism. His main point is that although it has changed dramatically, capitalism although it has changed dramatically, capitalism remains in the contemporary world remains in the contemporary world

Concepts and Contributions Concepts and Contributions Cont.Cont. Media and CultureMedia and Culture

• Kellner’s ideas on the effect of media on culture are influenced Kellner’s ideas on the effect of media on culture are influenced by the world of Baudrillard. His theory of a new, postmodern by the world of Baudrillard. His theory of a new, postmodern society rests on a key assumption that the media constitute a society rests on a key assumption that the media constitute a new realm of experience and a new stage of history and type of new realm of experience and a new stage of history and type of societysociety

• Kellner provided statistics that demonstrate how prevalent Kellner provided statistics that demonstrate how prevalent television is in contemporary society: “In excess of 750 million television is in contemporary society: “In excess of 750 million TV sets in more than 160 countries are watched by 2.5 billion TV sets in more than 160 countries are watched by 2.5 billion people per day. Nearly every home in the U.S. has a TV set that people per day. Nearly every home in the U.S. has a TV set that is turned on for more than 7 hours per day is turned on for more than 7 hours per day

• He was concerned that television is a threat to democracy He was concerned that television is a threat to democracy • Believes that television contributes to social integration and Believes that television contributes to social integration and

implies that democratized media could be the basis for a implies that democratized media could be the basis for a revitalized public sphere. revitalized public sphere.

• Concluded that television has worked increasingly to further Concluded that television has worked increasingly to further conservative hegemony. In so doing, television has helped conservative hegemony. In so doing, television has helped produce a crisis in democracy produce a crisis in democracy

• The advent of cable television in the 1970’s was directly The advent of cable television in the 1970’s was directly responsible for the increase in public access programs, responsible for the increase in public access programs, channels for government, and educational programming channels for government, and educational programming

Concepts and Contributions Concepts and Contributions Cont.Cont.PostmodernismPostmodernism

• Postmodern thought extends to many Postmodern thought extends to many disciplines, most notably art, but has also disciplines, most notably art, but has also crept into sociological discourse since the crept into sociological discourse since the mid-1980s mid-1980s

• Kellner noted that the primary methods of Kellner noted that the primary methods of postmodernism are deconstruction, reversal, postmodernism are deconstruction, reversal, and inversion. This implies that the theorist and inversion. This implies that the theorist must question the taken-for-granted world, must question the taken-for-granted world, the rules of the game, and the claims to the rules of the game, and the claims to authority found in a society. Kellner viewed authority found in a society. Kellner viewed postmodernism as a new stage of society, a postmodernism as a new stage of society, a break with the previous social order break with the previous social order

• The postmodern attitude is reflected in The postmodern attitude is reflected in expressionist artexpressionist art

RelevancyRelevancy• Critical theory is generally about the role of power Critical theory is generally about the role of power

in social relationsin social relations• Critical theory has existed since the formation of Critical theory has existed since the formation of

the Institute for Social Research at Frankfurt the Institute for Social Research at Frankfurt University in 1923 University in 1923

• Contemporary critical theorists have increasingly Contemporary critical theorists have increasingly turned their attention to the media and other forms turned their attention to the media and other forms of entertainment in their examination of modern of entertainment in their examination of modern culture culture

• Critical theory cannot be characterized by a Critical theory cannot be characterized by a particular set of methodological techniques and particular set of methodological techniques and theoretical propositions; however, it is still a theoretical propositions; however, it is still a coherent approach to the social world that is coherent approach to the social world that is separate from other types of sociology and Marxism separate from other types of sociology and Marxism

Criticisms of Critical TheoryCriticisms of Critical Theory• The first criticism of critical theory is that it reproduces The first criticism of critical theory is that it reproduces

idealist (utopian) positions idealist (utopian) positions • The second criticism is that critical theory shows undue The second criticism is that critical theory shows undue

concern about philosophical and theoretical problems concern about philosophical and theoretical problems • The third criticism of critical theory is its preoccupation The third criticism of critical theory is its preoccupation

with negativity with negativity • The fourth criticism of critical theory is the claim that it The fourth criticism of critical theory is the claim that it

developed from a purely academic setting and thus was developed from a purely academic setting and thus was isolated from working-class politics (add to this, the fact isolated from working-class politics (add to this, the fact that Marx’s conception of the working class as a that Marx’s conception of the working class as a revolutionary force is untrue) and became increasingly revolutionary force is untrue) and became increasingly embroiled in abstract issues and “second-order” embroiled in abstract issues and “second-order” discourse discourse

• The fifth criticism leveled against critical theory is that The fifth criticism leveled against critical theory is that it is a historical (critical theorists have examined a it is a historical (critical theorists have examined a variety of events without paying much attention to their variety of events without paying much attention to their historical and comparative contexts) historical and comparative contexts)

Criticisms of Critical Theory Criticisms of Critical Theory Cont.Cont.

• Postmodern critical theory is the first narrative to pose Postmodern critical theory is the first narrative to pose a possible utopian future not as a determinate outcome a possible utopian future not as a determinate outcome of nature-like social laws but rather as one conceivable of nature-like social laws but rather as one conceivable discursive accomplishment among many discursive accomplishment among many

• Critical theory can either be a museum piece or a living Critical theory can either be a museum piece or a living medium of political self-expression (Agger, 1976:19)medium of political self-expression (Agger, 1976:19)

• Critical theory addresses the relations among Critical theory addresses the relations among schooling, education, culture, society, economy, and schooling, education, culture, society, economy, and governance governance

• Critical theory has also been applied to issues related to Critical theory has also been applied to issues related to crime and delinquency crime and delinquency

• In addition , critical theory draws its orientation from a In addition , critical theory draws its orientation from a broad range of disciplines, including linguistics, broad range of disciplines, including linguistics, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and Marxism” psychology, sociology, philosophy, and Marxism” (Groves and Sampson, 1986:538)(Groves and Sampson, 1986:538)

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Critical Theory By Jessica Studer, Kari Carlson, and Chris Logan