The Department of Social Theory and the Doctoral School of Sociology cordially invites you to a plenary talk by Dr Neal Harris (Associate Professor of Sociology and Politics, Oxford Brookes University, UK).

In his presentation, guest lecturer Dr Neal Harris introduces the audience to the idea of a ‘Critical Theory’ of society. Following Horkheimer’s signal paper, differentiates between ‘Tradition’ and ‘Critical’ theory. In keeping with Horkheimer, he outlines how all research is inherently political and explains why positivism and neo-positivism fails to provide the ‘objectivity’ and ‘impartiality’ it purports to.

In the second paper of his presentation, Dr Harris differentiates between the ‘three’ phases of Frankfurt School Critical Theory, introducing in turn, Marcuse / Adorno / Horkheimer / Fromm; Habermas, and Honneth.

In the third paper of the presentation, he introduces the idea of the ‘culture industry’, both as a fascinating and informative concept and in and of itself, but also as further evidence to support the idea that forms of rationality can be inherently political and system-affirming.

In the final part of the presentation Dr Harris speaks about ‘Critical Theory’ beyond the Frankfurt Tradition. He identifies key defining features of a Frankfurt School Critical Theory and argues that some nominal Critical Theories, anchored in post-structuralist, post-modern, or decolonial perspectives, are incompatible with the core foundations of Frankfurt School scholarship.

Photo Credit: Pexels