Critical Theory's Critique of Social Science: Episodes in a Changing Problematic from Adorno to Habermas, Part II

In: History of European ideas, Band 7, Heft 3, S. 287-302

Abstract

(For Part I, see abstract in this section.) Critical theory's critique of the social sciences concerns their commitment to traditional theory & empirical method. Theory & method in these disciplines work together to attempt to simultaneously eliminate reflexivity & reconstitute practice in a form better suited to the ascendancy of society as a culturally & historically specific form of collective life, rather than as a synonym for such life & living. The sense & significance of this critique in the contemporary setting of advanced industrial societies is analyzed. AA