Marcia Morgan

Kierkegaard and Critical Theory (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Critical Theory is an interdisciplinary framework of analysis that was founded by a group of intellectuals working at the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. While the Institute itself was established in 1923, the program of 'critical theory' was not formalized until 1937 when Max Horkheimer, the Director of the Institute at that time, dubbed it as such in his essay, "Traditional and Critical Theory." The Institute is frequently referred to simply as 'The Frankfurt School'. Its significance cannot be underestimated. To this day there have been three generations of Frankfurt School academics, but 'critical theory' refers to something broader than just the work of the Institute for Social Research. Critical theory now indicates a theoretical approach that is studied all over the world. However, the main interests and goals of the founding Institute still remain integral. Foremost among these interests is the primary focus on the individual human being as the locus for social change. Over the years many debates have ensued as to how the individual can achieve social change. While these debates took Critical Theory in diverse directions, Søren Kierkegaard, a nineteenth century Danish religious thinker who emphasizes the individual's self-imposed obligation to society at large, played a major role. Nevertheless, Kierkegaard's impact on the development of Critical Theory has received scant study. I aim to fill this scholarly lacuna. My intention is to expose the complexity not only of Kierkegaard but of the Frankfurt School and their cohort. Kierkegaard's relationship to Critical Theory suffered from the misappropriation of his works by philosophers and theologians associated with National Socialism. This caused the Critical Theorists to view the content of Kierkegaard's philosophy itself as fascistic. Ultimately, I will highlight the ways in which Kierkegaard has been redeemed for a multiculture activist ethics today, working vigorously in spirit with the fundamental aims of the Frankfurt School.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bloomsbury eBooks US
• Seitenzahl: 140
• Erscheinungstermin: 13. Dezember 2012
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9780739167793
• Artikelnr.: 67853708

Autorenporträt

Dr Marcia Morgan is a British Caribbean woman. She is married with children and works for Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service and is a senior lecturer at the University of East London. Marcia volunteers as a Race Ambassador and Social Mobility Ambassador for the Ministry of Justice, advocating for the application of an intersectional approach to staff data analysis. She is also a level 7 qualified Executive Coach and Mentor. In her spare time, she enjoys cross country running and reading contemporary multicultural romance novels.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface: Why Kierkegaard and Critical Theory Now? Chapter One: Introduction
to Kierkegaard and Critical Theory Chapter Two: Kierkegaard and First
Generation Critical Theory: Marcuse and Adorno Chapter Three: Adorno's
Kierkegaard and the Influence of Lukács Chapter Four: The Influence of
Walter Benjamin Chapter Five: Second Generation Critical Theory: Habermas,
Kierkegaard, Postnationalism Chapter Six: Habermas, Kierkegaard, and
Postsecularism Chapter Seven: Conclusion: Martin Matutík and Radical
Existential Praxis