Phenomenology and critical theory

Even a passing familiarity with the phenomenological tradition and Frankfurt School critical theory suggests a number of affinities. For instance, thinkers in both traditions are deeply interested in the constitution of meaning, the relational structure of experience, and the intersubjective conditions for engaging with the world, oneself, and others. Critical theorists thus aim to integrate two distinctive orientations towards ‘society.’ On the one hand, they embrace the sociological task of understanding society in terms of its basic institutions, their integration, and the social practices that unfold within them. On the other hand, theorists aim to extrapolate from this understanding of society a normative perspective that makes criticism and social transformation possible but remains endogenous to it. Many contemporary critical theorists think that Adorno’s project is a failure. The most powerful articulation of this failure can be found in Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action.