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The Domestication of Critical Theory

Michael J. Thompson

Critical theory was one of the most vigorous and insightful intellectual traditions of the twentieth-century. At its core was a critique of culture and consciousness that stemmed from an insight into the nature of modern rationality, economic life, and social organization. Yet, Michael Thompson argues in this highly original book that the tradition has been domesticated - it no longer offers a philosophically convincing nor politically viable form of social critique.

Thompson demonstrates that the field has surrendered its concerns with domination, alienation, and the pathologies of capitalist modernity and shifted its focus toward neo-Idealist themes. This new critical theory has turned its back on the insights of the classical critical theorists. Thompson traces how this shift occurred and how we can reclaim a genuinely critical critical theory. He goes on to defend the different aspects of critical theory that can be used to reformulate a social critique, one that must be brought into dialogue with contemporary political, social and moral philosophy and theory in a way that protects the lasting and crucial legacy of critical theory as a political project.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International

Pages: 244 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-78348-430-0 • Hardback • March 2016 • $176.00 • (£137.00)

978-1-78348-431-7 • Paperback • February 2016 • $59.00 • (£45.00)

978-1-78348-432-4 • eBook • February 2016 • $56.00 • (£43.00)

Subjects: Philosophy / Movements / Critical Theory, Philosophy / Political, Philosophy / Continental Philosophy

The Domestication of Critical Theory

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Critical theory was one of the most vigorous and insightful intellectual traditions of the twentieth-century. At its core was a critique of culture and consciousness that stemmed from an insight into the nature of modern rationality, economic life, and social organization. Yet, Michael Thompson argues in this highly original book that the tradition has been domesticated - it no longer offers a philosophically convincing nor politically viable form of social critique.

Thompson demonstrates that the field has surrendered its concerns with domination, alienation, and the pathologies of capitalist modernity and shifted its focus toward neo-Idealist themes. This new critical theory has turned its back on the insights of the classical critical theorists. Thompson traces how this shift occurred and how we can reclaim a genuinely critical critical theory. He goes on to defend the different aspects of critical theory that can be used to reformulate a social critique, one that must be brought into dialogue with contemporary political, social and moral philosophy and theory in a way that protects the lasting and crucial legacy of critical theory as a political project.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International

Pages: 244 • Trim: 6¼ x 9⅜

978-1-78348-430-0 • Hardback • March 2016 • $176.00 • (£137.00)

978-1-78348-431-7 • Paperback • February 2016 • $59.00 • (£45.00)

978-1-78348-432-4 • eBook • February 2016 • $56.00 • (£43.00)

Subjects: Philosophy / Movements / Critical Theory, Philosophy / Political, Philosophy / Continental Philosophy

Author

Michael J. Thompson is Professor of Political Science at William Paterson University. He is the author of Radical Intellectuals and the Subversion of Progressive Politics (2015) and the editor of The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Theory (2017) and Hegel's Metaphysics and the Philosophy of Politics (2018).

Table of Contents

Preface / Introduction: How Critical Theory was Domesticated / Part I: The Present State of Critical Theory / 1. The Rise of Neo-Idealist Critical Theory / 2. One-Dimensional Rationality and the Limits of Pragmatist Reason / 3. The Insufficiency of Recognition: A Critique of Axel Honneth’s Concept of Critical Theory / Part II: Reconstructing the Logic of Critical Social Theory / 4. Structure and Consciousness: Reconsidering the Base-Superstructure Hypothesis / 5. System and Function: The Normative Basis of Social Power / 6. Fact and Value: The Epistemological Framework of Critical Theory / Part III: Renewing Critical Philosophy / 7. Against the Postmetaphysical Turn: Toward a Critical Social Ontology / Bibliography / Index

Reviews

Michael J. Thompson’s trenchant critique of the later 20^th century linguistic turn in critical theory recovers its Hegelian-Marxian and Weberian roots and revives its critique of capitalism. Thompson’s timely, lucidly argued reconstruction of the tradition provides vital analytical resources for illuminating immanent contradictions of the neoliberal regime and envisioning afresh progressive or emancipatory alternatives.
— Robert J. Antonio, Professor of Sociology, The University of Kansas

This is an important book which should be of interest to historians of sociology, social theorists, and critical theorists in particular... In short, The Domestication of Critical Theory is pathbreaking and, more critical theorists should follow that path to find out how far it will take them.
— British Journal of Sociology

Michael Thompson’s book is one of the most ambitious criticisms of the prevailing understanding of critical theory... to be read as (a) very good study in the context of traditional Marxism to criticise the later Frankfurt school.
— Political Studies Review

The Domestication of Critical Theory

Michael J. Thompson

The Domestication of Critical Theory

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