Annotation
This course acquaints students with the history of critical theory and the Frankfurt School, including its main principles, members and key works. It introduces the methods of examining modern society and the forms of thinking that critical theory has developed to exceed the limits of "traditional theory." Students will learn the basic concepts of critical theory which arose in the first period of its development (Adorno, Horkheimer, Marcuse, Fromm, Benjamin), in the second period (Habermas) and in the third (Honneth). Critical theory will be understood as a source of thought in pedagogy, which critically focuses on the social, political and ideological assumptions of educational systems.
Content:
● The origin of critical theory and its specific interdisciplinary methods. The first generation of critical theory, its starting points, approaches, concepts and goals. Adorno and Horkheimer's dialectical critique of the Enlightenment and European civilization. The concept of negative dialectics and its relation to contemporary thinking. Marcuse and Fromm's elaboration of social psychoanalysis ("Eros and civilization"; "Man and psychoanalysis").
● The second generation of critical theory. Habermas and the theory of normativity. The dispute over universalism between Habermas and postmodern philosophers. The third generation of critical theory. Axel Honneth and the theory of recognition as a source of resolving the conflicting nature of contemporary society. A critique of Habermas’ and Honneth's versions of critical theory.
● Critical theory as a source of emancipatory pedagogical concepts. Adorno's understanding of pedagogy as "education after Auschwitz". Education and instrumental rationality. Dialogic principles of the pedagogy of hope (Paolo Freire) as a middle path between authoritarian education and "non-education".