180075 VO Critical Theory and Philosophical Form (2019S)

Amidst the ascendent forms of ontology, phenomenology, vitalism and nominalism prevalent in early 20th century philosophy, the writers today associated with the Frankfurt School drew on the traditions of Marxism, psychoanalysis and German Idealism to develop a critical theory of society that would continue the work of a “militant Enlightenment” (Adorno). By combining the resources of the social and human sciences, the Frankfurt School challenged traditional theories of knowledge, as well as the social, historical and ideological content of philosophy’s own concepts, in its search for a form of philosophy that would aid in the transformation of contemporary society. In this sense, Frankfurt School critical theory’s investigation into the limits of philosophical inquiry is also an experiment in philosophical form.

The course will begin with an introduction to critical theory that locates the source of its difference from traditional theory, placing it within the longer history of reflections upon philosophical form. The course will then survey some of critical theory’s most significant experiments in philosophical form in order to better understand how contemporary society affects both the form and the content of contemporary philosophy. In addition to a study of critical theory’s more avant-gardist literary and philosophical experiments (i.e. Walter Benjamin’s Denkbilder and the collage of his Arcades Project, Horkheimer and Adorno’s experiments in aphorism, essay and fragment) the course will also examine their more systematic and social-scientific works (Aesthetic Theory, Negative Dialectics, Dialectic of Enlightenment, The Authoritarian Personality, Group Experiment) in order to explore critical theory’s radical interventions into more traditional scientific forms.

While those interested in critical theory, contemporary philosophy, as well as recent interpretations of Marx, psychoanalysis and Hegel, should find the course content particularly relevant, all are nevertheless welcome and encouraged to participate.