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This article provides information about the critical theory of Frankfurt school:
Critical theory has different meanings for different writers. As critique it is usually considered to be a critique of modernity and the developments and institutions associated with modern society. It can also be a critique of particular schools of thought within sociology, or of sociology and social science as a whole.
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A large part of critical theory has been to critique art and culture, in particular the consumer culture, advertising, the media, and other forms of popular culture. Some of the arguments in Giddens Dilemmas of the Self, such as the evaporated self and commodified experience, are very similar to critical theory. In fact, it is in the sphere of culture that critical theory continues to be relevant and innovative.
Marxism is one form of critical theory, since Marxism provides a critique of capitalism and modernism. The Marxism of many communist parties and established socialist societies is generally not regarded as critical theory it is rather Marxist theories that attempt to show the shortcomings of existing society and institutions that are considered critical theories.
Kellner notes: Critical Theory has been deeply concerned with the fate of modernity, and has offered systematic and comprehensive theories of the trajectory of modernity, combined with critical diagnoses of some of the latter’s limitations, pathologies and destructive effects while providing defences of some of its progressive elements.
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In Kellner’s view, critical theory has generally been committed to the idea of modernity and progress, while at the same time noting the ways that features of modernity can create problems for individuals and society. Critical theory is usually more closely associated with a group of theorists called the Frankfurt school.
It were German Marxist theorists such as Benjamin, Horkheimer, Adorno, Fromm, Marcuse and, more recently, Habermas and Offe, who usually identified as establishing and developing a critical theory of modern society. Others, such as the Hungarian Marxist Lukacs, and some contemporary North Americans, most notably Calhoun and Kellner, are also considered to be critical theorists.
Critical theory differs from post-modern approaches to social theory. Theorists in the latter perspective tend to argue that modernity has ended, or that modernity must be rejected in its totality. Postmodernists may even reject social theory and political practice whereas critical theorists tend to theorise extensively and some argue that politics can be used to pursue progress. Critical theorists generally tend to have a comprehensive and overall social theory and an idea of progress and a better world, even if they are unable to find ways of getting there. In contrast, a post-modern approach is more likely to be associated with rejection of comprehensive, universal theory.