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On the Crisis of Critique: Reformulating the Project of Critical Theory

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Critical Theory Today

Part of the book series: Political Philosophy and Public Purpose ((POPHPUPU))

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Abstract

Critical theory has taken a decisive turn away from Marx and Marxian ideas since the 1980s. The turn towards “post-metaphysics” embraces instead the ideas of Kant and a reconstructed Hegelianism that cuts off much of critical theory's links with Marxian ideas. I see this as a turn towards neo-Idealism and a diminution of the capacity for critical theory to respond to the dynamics of neoliberalism, particularly its more inflamed phase in the age of authoritarian populism. I will show why this paradigm shift has led critical theory astray and suggest an alternative what I call critical social ontology that can help us not only with the project of critical diagnosis of modern society, but also a more compelling paradigm for articulating a normative vision for a rational, democratic society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, USA

    Michael J. Thompson

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  1. Michael J. Thompson
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Correspondence to Michael J. Thompson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Social & Political Thought, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex, UK

    Denis C. Bosseau

  2. Humanities, University of Brighton, Brighton, East Sussex, UK

    Tom Bunyard

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Thompson, M.J. (2022). On the Crisis of Critique: Reformulating the Project of Critical Theory. In: Bosseau, D.C., Bunyard, T. (eds) Critical Theory Today. Political Philosophy and Public Purpose. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07638-1_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07638-1_1

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-07637-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-07638-1

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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