Morales, Vincent V.

ETHN01A
IR257 Mr. Parale Mc Lyndon

What is Critical Theory?

"We have nothing to lose but our chains" 

Karl Marx

Critical Theory is a tradition which was developed by Marxist-inspired theorist in

Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt, Germany. Theodore Adorno, Herbert
Marcuse and the father of critical theory Max Horkheimer were the first generation of
critical theorist, later, they were succeeded by other thinkers who further developed
critical theory. Critical is an engagement with social reality, although it is given that
proponents of critical theory were Marxist, they did not just focus on the economic
struggle brought about capitalism, they also touched other areas such as political,
psychological and in particular culture in criticizing social realities, this made critical
theory as an eclectic school of thought.

Carl Grunberg was the first director of Institute for Social Research, which was
succeeded by Max Horkheimer. During his post as director, Horkheimer made a shift
from Grunberg’s scientific Marxism to a more interdisciplinary program. The shift
amalgamates other social sciences theories; this force critical theory to range itself to
other theories. The integration of these theories was suggested as ground to critique
the society. Horkheimer also, differentiate the difference between Traditional and
Critical Theory, according to him, traditional theory is an approach mainly focused on
mathematical/systematic way. This disregarded the historical knowledge of human
and is taking away the potential and what can human knowledge bring. On the other
hand, critical theory focuses on real life situation and according to Horkheimer there
is a need for an anthropological turn, as we question society, we should also look at
the humankind. Horkheimer denoted that “every datum depends not on the nature
alone but also on the power of man has over it” this perspective in social reality is
what made critical theory different from traditional theory. Right now, critical theory
has a wide array of various strands, such as Marxism, feminism, post-structuralism
and constructivism among others. Indeed, critical theory is an engagement of social
realities, it deals with oppression, the vulnerable sector, women and children. Critical
theory suggested that the struggle and quest for emancipation is not only struggle of
proletariat, the struggle for emancipation is a struggle that goes beyond social classes.
Every perception of people in different strata can be limited to a certain ideology.

The problem with other application and interpretation of theories is that they put away
the spirit of real social happenings and the humans itself. Therefore, social injustices
and oppression are likely to happen, these issues were highlighted by critical theories,
these things are social realities that are in to be addressed.

Hegelian and Marxist Roots of Critical Theory