Critical Theory

By Max Horkheimer Mette Nielsen and Stefan Gulipac

Agenda
Why Critical Theory? Critical Theory
Max Horkheimer Bibliography Horkheimers work Ontology

Epistemology

Methodology

Strength and Weakness

Why Critical Theory? The purpose and the aim of the theory
To direct positive changes of society that would be focused by historical and political experience of the time

To Provide the means to achieve human emancipation (normative aspect of the theory)

To liberate human beings from the circumstances that enslave them

Critical Theory
The works of Critical Theory were inspired by the ideologies of Marxism and Freuds psychoanalysis

The goal was to make a theory about the relation of capitalistic economy, society, psychology and culture

The theory is critical towards the society and theories about the society. Critical for the positivism methods

Max Horkheimer : Bibliography

Born on 14th of February 1895
German philosopher and sociologist

In October 1931 was made the director of Institute of Social Research in Frankfurt

In 1931 Horkheimer outlined the framework of an interdisciplinary critical social scientific programme

1933-1949 Being in exile in Switzerland, and USA

Died in 1973 on the 7th of July

Max Horkheimer: His Work

Ontology

Assumes that there is a reality. This is a reality created and shaped by social, political, cultural, economic, ethnic and gender based forces that have been reified or crystallized over time in social structures that are taken to be natural or real.

Epistemology

The epistemology of critical theory is a combination of historical materialism, Freudian psychoanalysis and hermeneutics. What can be known is inextricably tied to the interaction between a particular investigator and a particular object or group.

Methodology
It is based on the dialectical approach between theory and empirical research Established an interdisciplinary programme of research The theories has to be formulated through dialogue through communication Empirical material is always treated as a mean and never as a goal itself

Methodology
Commitment to bring together theory with both quantitative and qualitative research

Critical theorists are not just trying to describe a situation but tries to challenge the guiding assumptions and tries to change the situation

Strength and Weakness

Critical Theory is suggesting an understandable methodology

The Critical theory is reproducing the idealist utopian positions

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