From phenomenology to critical theory

The genesis of Adorno’s critical theory from his reading of Husserl

Bibliographic Data

ID11340587
AuthorsErnst Wolff (0000-0003-1203-0664, University of Pretoria, corresponding author)
Year2006
Volume32
Issue5
Pages555-572
Publication date2006-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy & Social Criticism (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0191-4537 • E-ISSN: 1461-734X
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0191453706064896
OpenAlexW3123382159
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited3

This article investigates the importance of the evolution of Adorno’s interpretation of Husserl for the formation of his own philosophy. The weakness of Husserl’ notion of immediate data is revealed within the light of Hans Cornelius’s Transcendentale Systematik. When Adorno discovers in his Habilitationsschrift the importance of the social setting and ideological function of theory, he departs from Cornelius’ transcendentalism as norm for his reflection - and this insight is deployed against Husserl. Henceforth, Husserl’s philosophy is interpreted as idealist, as a prima philosophia, as a philosophy of identity and totality and ultimately in service of the totalitarian political tendencies

Critical theory · Epistemology · Ideology · Interpretation (philosophy · Linguistics · Phenomenology (philosophy · Political philosophy · Politics · Critical Theory and Philosophy · Law · Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy · Philosophy · Philosophy and Historical Thought

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