The Influence of the Frankfurt School - Essay Example

 The Influence of the Frankfurt School Frankfurt School is a general term given for a group of people at the Institute of Social Research as part of the University of Frankfurt in Germany. It reflected the thoughts of a group of people at the Frankfurt School that were based on the social and cultural environments. In this essay we will be looking at the two environments that are inter-linked i.e., the social and cultural environments. The Frankfurt School is a school that followed the new doctrines of Marx in combination with the social and philosophical research. It was at this school that a group of people came out with new ideas that were co-related with Social Research. This Public Institution began in 1923, where Marxism was the main theory as part of the Institute’s proceedings. It was the first Institute of Research that followed Marxism. This change took place so as to do away with the Christian Religion and ideologies that involved the lives of the European people and other relevant matters. The members of the Frankfurt School developed a theory that was meant to change the entire system by which people of that century were living. Their main aim was to reform the outlook of every single thought! The Frankfurt School was in full gear to wipe out Christianity completely not only from the lives of all students but even in the social circle and within families. Their main aim was to create a turning point in society where philosophical theory (metaphysics) did not fit into their concept and their outlook to life was a material world that depended on logical reasoning. This was an era of modernization with the synopsis of Marxism. During the 1950’s and 1960’s the Frankfurt School was considered as an Institute in Germany, based on the work done under the guidance of Horkheimer and Adorno. Max Horkheimer took charge as Director of this institute in the year 1930. Horkheimer laid stress on the connection between Social philosophy and science. This institute developed a social theory that involved different branches of learning that could serve as an implementing tool to radically reform social conditions. This theory involved a combination of sociology, psychology, cultural and political economy along with the social and philosophical theory termed as “synthesis of social and philosophical theory”. It also supported women’s rights, racial equality, different kinds of post-colonial criticism. One of the series of studies that was vivid at the Institute of Social Research were the theories that involved exclusive trading privilege in the capital markets along with the advancement and functions of technology. It also involved trade between large dominant Corporate in the capital markets. In this study it also showed the deterioration of both “democracy” and “the identity of an individual”. It also revealed the part played by the various cultures in the trading societies and the communication involved which gave rise to modernization in these various societies. It connected theories that were to take their place in the heart of social reformation making it last for many decades to come. The individuals involved in such thinking belonged to different branches of learning with a high level of intelligence. This intellectual thinking enabled them to keep the fundamentals of social theory always responsive and active even during a difficult historical era. During these tough situations these intellectuals were able to keep the Neo-Marxian theory alive so as to support the new social theory, thereby, giving rise to a new historical beginning. This gave birth to a transformation in the capital markets. There was a radical change from competitive capital markets to monopoly capitalism. The Frankfurt School finally became renowned for its critical theories. For E.g.: The totally administered society, or “one-dimensional society” as it was termed as was helpful to ascertain the intensified influence of capitalism in comparison to all fields of social life. Thus the evolution and growth of a new manifestation of social control was born. The Foundation of Critical Theory: Horkheimer further states that in the aim of identifying all the possible situations and circumstances which are hindrances and obstacles that restrict human freedom, the explicit aim could be achieved by a research involving different branches of learning called ‘Interdisciplinary Research’ which includes various fields of science like psychological, cultural and social sciences in different dimensions that should be dominated by a customized form. To make this theory more transparent Horkheimer relates this explicit aim on human beings as the self-inventive directors of their own life history. It is a distinct precise standard that inquires into the facts related to mutual relations in society which will automatically transform social life. Essence of their Critique: Horkheimer’s Critical Theory is complete only when it satisfies three principles: it has to be explicit, virtual and has to adhere to specific norms. These principles hold good only when all are in accordance with each other at the same time. “The essence of this is felt only when it is self explanatory of something that is wrong or undesirable with current facts concerned with mutual relations in society. It will then establish an identity with the performer who will bring about a change. It will also stipulate precise standards to criticize and accomplish the aims virtually in order to bring about a social reformation or transformation.” As Director of the Frankfurt School’s Institute for Social Research he has given this definition in one of his researches which: “ has as it’s objects human beings as producers of their own historical form of life” (Horkheimer 1993, 21).” Eros and Civilization Herbert Marcuse was a very great thinker at the Frankfurt School and was known worldwide. He was a political, social and cultural philosopher. He wrote a book called ‘Eros and Civilization’ (EC) that gives us an insight into his extensive view point that creates a strong interest in expressing oneself fluently and coherently. The Foundation Of EC: His views relate to topics like (contemporary) modern civilization, domination and freedom from oppressive social conventions. According to Marcuse’s narration on freedom from legal, social, political or moral restraint it allows us to understand his vivid imagination of a totally liberal and modern civilization that was conditioned by favoring moderate reforms. These thoughts were brought to light since the ancient and middle age civilization suffered atrocities of being suppressed socially and were being deprived of their freedom of speech, thought and self-respect. The Essence Of EC: In comparison to the critical Marxian theory of Max Horkheimer and the critical theory of Eros and Civilization by Marcuse, the latter is of a more non-suppressive and freer society. “The essence is felt as it has an edge over the critical theory since it promises in creating a society where personal, social and political rights are to be at liberty”. Marcuse adopted the utopian notion of a changed and reformed society at large. He did so in order to introduce a newer outlook to living life differently. He also takes it further by trying to emphasize on the existence of suppressed or highly repressive feelings that dominate the industrial sector Talking about the Frankfurt School it brings back memories of social reformation the moment when the Institute of Social Research was formed that inter-links its foundation to the Critical Theory and the theory of Eros and Civilization. These memories begin to evoke not just a mere idea but that of a fastidious pattern that involved inflexion of words put into action that was followed as a practice. These thoughts bring alive the names of a string of highly intellectual individuals who were reformists of their time, viz., Adorno, who was the one who wrote critical essays on culture and also gave seminars on topics that relied on certain level of Marxism as its background, Max Horkheimer ( Director of Institute of Social Research), Herbert Marcuse and Habermas. They were strongly influenced by the 2 atheists Karl Marx and Frederich Nietzsche who strongly believed in Marxism and Psychoanalysis. Solution: Be practical! 1. According to the Critical Theory of Max Horkheimer the solution offered is not only the way to accomplish an interdependent or self-governing destination but also to make an effort to obtain freedom from legal, social, political or moral restraint when injustice and tyranny weigh down the human race. Horkheimer terms this as “Human Emancipation “. An individual should possess the ability to rationalize a situation identify the problem and then analyze the solution keeping in mind the consequences that may hinder the norms of social reasoning. Corporate markets experienced a radical change when the Neo-Marxian Theory was implemented. It offered a new and better market. 2. The solution Marcuse offers in his theory is the way an analysis of a detailed examination should be made. It will enable the analyst to understand and define the barriers that prevail against a liberalized industrial society. An individual should be able to adapt oneself to the changing trends of the modern world to be at liberty. Based on the solutions offered by Max Horkheimer and Herbert Marcuse, we can conclude that an individual should be practical and adaptable. Thus, the Frankfurt School was reputed for it’s Social Philosophies of Life! Sources: 1. The Influence Of the “Frankfurt School” On Modern Liberal Thought. . (Robin.A.Brace, 2006). Printed by the The American Almanac. December 5, 2008. 2. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (Critical Theory). March 8, 2005. Professor James .F. Bohman. December 5, 2008. < http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/critical-theory/> 3. Eros and Civilization. (The Psychoanalytic Quaterly). Published by the Beacon Press, 1955.277 pp. Revised Edition, 1998, Douglas Kellner. December 6, 2008. Read More