Philosophical Elements of a Theory of Society

Theodor Adorno, an exile in America during the War, critiqued the fetishism of method in sociology and advocated for a philosophical approach to social theory that challenges uniformity and emphasizes the fruitfulness of experience for critical social analysis. He also showed how philosophy must rely on sociology to avoid the old idealistic illusion of grasping the totality of real conditions through thought alone.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 192 pages
\n Publication date: 18 January 2019
\n Publisher: Polity Press
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Theodor Adorno, an exile in America during the War, gained a profound understanding of empirical social research, which would significantly influence his work as the co-director of the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research in the early 1950s. However, he also became increasingly cognizant of the fetishism of method in sociology, recognizing the limitations of theoretical work solely based on empirical findings. In this lecture course delivered in 1964, Adorno critically examines both sociology and philosophy, emphasizing the necessity of a specific mediation between the two disciplines for the development of robust social theory. He advocates for a philosophical approach to social theory that rejects the pursuit of uniformity and embraces the richness and complexity of experience, recognizing its potential for critical social analysis. At the same time, Adorno acknowledges that philosophy must recognize the importance of sociology to avoid succumbing to the old idealistic illusion that thought alone can fully grasp the totality of real conditions. By skillfully blending philosophical and empirical perspectives, these lectures, delivered by one of the 20th century's most influential social thinkers, hold immense interest for students and scholars in philosophy, sociology, and the social sciences broadly.

\n Weight: 294g\n
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 14 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780745679488\n \n