On Max Horkheimer

More about the book

Max Horkheimer (1895-1973), a key figure in critical theory, has gained renewed recognition in Germany over the past decade, particularly following the 1985 publication of his Collected Works. This collection of essays by German and American scholars aims to introduce English-speaking audiences to significant insights from Horkheimer's recent scholarship. Alongside a companion volume, it offers a comprehensive view of his contributions to modern social theory. The essays cover various aspects of Horkheimer's intellectual journey, including Alfred Schmidt's exploration of his intellectual physiognomy and Jurgen Habermas's remarks on the evolution of his work. Hauke Brunkhorst discusses Horkheimer's materialist critique of philosophy, while Wolfgang Bonss examines the interdisciplinary research that laid the groundwork for critical theory. Thomas McCarthy addresses the relationship between critical theory and philosophy, and Wolf Schafer analyzes Horkheimer's connections with John Desmond Bernal. Further contributions include Axel Honneth's critique of the sociological shortcomings in critical theory, Moishe Postone and Barbara Brick's insights into political economy, and Stefan Breuer's examination of the theoretical rifts between Horkheimer and Adorno. Other essays delve into Horkheimer's engagement with German idealism, his reflections on anti-Semitism, and the interplay between mass culture and aesthetic redemption, culm