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Definition:
Critical Theory is the sociological method developed by the Frankfurt School of social
philosophers. Prominent members include Horkheimer, Adorno, Benjamin, Marcuse, Fromm,
and Habermas.
According to them, it is possible to reveal how social structures substitute a reason based on goals for a "thin" formal reason which is focused only on means, by demonstrating [or means. They do this by demonstrating] contradictions imposed upon people caught in those social structures.
Because the end result was that so many people ended up being denied power or becoming alienated from their own lives, the Frankfurt School rejected a mere objective observation of these conditions and instead believed that social scientists should be involved with overcoming such social problems. Thus, members promoted the use of Marxism, both as a means to critique modern industrial, capitalist society and as an antidote to its problems.
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Related Resources:
What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
