Your opinion on the Frankfurt School

[Robespierre2.0]

What's everyone's opinion here on the Franfurt School (Horkheimer, Marcuse, critical theory, etc?) Ofr course, I've heard that they've become more bourgeois idealistic, but is there anything worth learning from their theories?

[coda]

i read them periodically. i particularly like Horkheimer's and Theodor Adorno's cultural criticisms of media images', consumerism & impact on society, and Erich Fromme's writings on social alienation, responsibility of freedom, etc.

[IronColumn]

Their writing is enjoyable, however the FS was created by a rich individual who funded the school. In this respect it's much like a university where no one has to engage in any political activity. This is particularly evident as Karl Korsch was going to be involved with the school, and wasn't terribly impressed, especially after he asked them to review something of Pannekoek's and they weren't terribly interested. This shows up later in Adorno's elitism and almost racism in condemning jazz, and his disapproval of the student movement in Germany.

In short, it's a watered down, pessimistic pseudo-Marxism (save for Fromm, who is an optimistic pseudo-marxist). Still good to know though.

[rouchambeau]

Frankfurt School Critical Theory is the greatest thing ever.