Introduction to Critical Theory: Horkheimer to Habermas [Paperback]

David Held (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520041755 | ISBN-13: 978-0520041752 | Publication Date: October 13, 1980

The writings of the critical theorists caught the imagination of students and intellectuals in the 1960s and 1970s. They became a key element in the formation and self-understanding of the New Left, and have been the subject of continuing controversy. Partly because of their rise to prominence during the political turmoil of the sixties, and partly because they draw on traditions rarely studied in the Anglo-American world, the works of these authors are often misunderstood.
In this book David Held provides a much-needed introduction to, and evaluation of, critical theory. He is concerned mainly with the thought of the Frankfurt school--Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse, in particular--and with Habermas, one of Europe's leading contemporary thinkers. Several of the major themes considered are critical theory's relation to Marx's critique of the political economy, Freudian psychoanalysis, aesthetics, and the philosophy of history. There is also a discussion of critical theory's substantive contribution to the analysis of capitalism, culture, the family, and the individual, as well as its contribution to epistemology and methodology.
Held's book will be necessary reading for all concerned with understanding and evaluating one of the most influential intellectual movements of our time.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"This is the first book to present clearly the thought of the Frankfurt school as a whole. . . . A major contribution to the history of social thought. . . . A splendid piece of work."--Mark Poster

From the Back Cover

"This is the first book to present clearly the thought of the Frankfurt school as a whole. . . . A major contribution to the history of social thought. . . . A splendid piece of work. (Mark Poster)

Product Details

• Paperback: 497 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (October 13, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520041755
• ISBN-13: 978-0520041752
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,552 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best introduction.., November 13, 2000

By 

Garik (Boston, Ma USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Critical Theory: Horkheimer to Habermas (Paperback)

This books provide a clear and simple introduction to the extremely complex topic of critical theory. The book is very rich in substance and detail but at the same time is clear and intelligible to almost anyone who is a familiar with Marxian theory of political economy and the superstructure. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Critical Theory.

5.0 out of 5 stars The place to start..., May 27, 2011

By 

Brian C. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to Critical Theory: Horkheimer to Habermas (Paperback)

It seems to me introductory books would be very difficult to write. It is necessary to walk a razor's edge since one must present enough detail and depth to make the subject interesting (and to allow the reader to go on and read the primary sources for themselves) while maintaining a level of accessibility that will be fitting for the absolute newcomer. David Held does an absolutely masterful job of walking that razor's edge in this book.

David Held does an excellent job of situating the critical theorists in their historical context. Basically the critical theorists found themselves in the position of having to reinterpret Marx's critical theory in order to take into account developments in capitalism (the movement from free-market capitalism to state run capitalism) as well as to provide a critical theory that was capable of including the so-called 'socialist' states (such as the Soviet Union) in their critique. With the Soviet Union it became clear that the critique of the private ownership of the means of production was not an adequate basis from which to construct a critical theory which would lead to general human emancipation. The Soviet system had abolished private property and yet it was clearly not a move in the direction of increased freedom. The critical theorists attempted, therefore, to work out standpoints of critique that would be capable of including the Soviet Union, as well as the capitalist countries, within their critique and that would at least point in the direction of general human emancipation (Adorno chose the non-identity between concept and object, Marcuse chose surplus repression, Habermas chose distorted communication, etc.). David Held also does an excellent job of discussing the influence of psychoanalytic developments on the critical theorists.

And finally, at the end, David Held offers some of his own brief criticisms of what he takes to be shortcomings in the work of the critical theorists that I thought were of a genuinely high caliber. Which means this book will be of interest for anyone interested in the critical theorists (novice and expert alike). I cannot recommend this one too highly!

-Brian

5.0 out of 5 stars Critical Theory, David Held, April 23, 2011

By 

Ernesto G Marin (BROWNSVILLE, TX, US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Introduction to Critical Theory: Horkheimer to Habermas (Paperback)

This is an excellent reference to critical theory. David Held masterfully presents an entertaining and erudite introduction, noting the theory from a new perspective.
Ernesto egmconsult.com