Cover of the book Dialectic of Enlightenment (Cultural Memory in the Present)

Critically acclaimed

Already read? Rate it!

Dialectic of Enlightenment (Cultural Memory in the Present)

byTheodor W. Adorno

Genres: Politics Philosophy Classics Existentialism Modern Ethical Dilemmas Political Theory

Who is this book for? Readers interested in philosophy, critical theory, and social critique.

Topics PowerFreedomMorality

MoodReflective

Dialectic of Enlightenment is undoubtedly the most influential publication of the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory. Written during the Second World War and circulated privately, it appeared in a printed edition in Amsterdam in 1947. "What we had set out to do," the authors write in the Preface, "was nothing less than to explain why humanity, instead of entering a truly human state, is sinking into a new kind of barbarism."Yet the work goes far beyond a mere critique of contemporary events. Historically remote developments, indeed, the birth of Western history and of subjectivity itself out of the struggle against natural forces, as represented in myths, are connected in a wide arch to the most threatening experiences of the present. The book consists in five chapters, at first glance unconnected, together with a number of shorter notes. The various analyses concern such phenomena as the detachment of science from practical life, formalized morality, the manipulative nature of entertainment culture, and a paranoid behavioral structure, expressed in aggressive anti-Semitism, that marks the limits of enlightenment. The authors perceive a common element in these phenomena, the tendency toward self-destruction of the guiding criteria inherent in enlightenment thought from the beginning. Using historical analyses to elucidate the present, they show, against the background of a prehistory of subjectivity, why the National Socialist terror was not an aberration of modern history but was rooted deeply in the fundamental characteristics of Western civilization.Adorno and Horkheimer see the self-destruction of Western reason as grounded in a historical and fateful dialectic between the domination of external nature and society. They trace enlightenment, which split these spheres apart, back to its mythical roots. Enlightenment and myth, therefore, are not irreconcilable opposites, but dialectically mediated qualities of both real and intellectual life. "Myth is already enlightenment, and enlightenment reverts to mythology." This paradox is the fundamental thesis of the book.This new translation, based on the text in the complete edition of the works of Max Horkheimer, contains textual variants, commentary upon them, and an editorial discussion of the position of this work in the development of Critical Theory.

Language

Published on

13/03/2007

Pages

304

Format

Paperback

ISBN

9780804736336

Price Comparison

25.99 £

31.99 €

Books similar to “Dialectic of Enlightenment (Cultural Memory in the Present)”

If you enjoyed reading “Dialectic of Enlightenment (Cultural Memory in the Present)” by Theodor W. Adorno, you may also like some of the following books.

Bertrand RussellHistory of Western Philosophy

History of Western Philosophy

Bertrand Russell

György LukácsHistory and Class Consciousness

History and Class Consciousness

György Lukács

Sarah PerryEnlightenment

Enlightenment

Sarah Perry

Maurice Merleau-PontyPhenomenology of Perception

Phenomenology of Perception

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

EpictetusDiscourses and Selected Writings

Discourses and Selected Writings

Epictetus

Edith HamiltonMythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes

Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes

Edith Hamilton

René DescartesMeditations

Meditations

René Descartes

D. H. LawrenceFantasia of the Unconscious

Fantasia of the Unconscious

D. H. Lawrence

Existentialism

Existentialism delves into the complexities of existence, freedom, and choice. This subgenre challenges readers to confront the nature of being and the human condition, making it a favorite for those who ponder life's bigger questions.

Alan WattsThe Way of Zen

The Way of Zen

by Alan Watts

Alan WattsWisdom Of Insecurity

Wisdom Of Insecurity

by Alan Watts

Jean-Paul SartreBeing and Nothingness

Being and Nothingness

by Jean-Paul Sartre

Thomas LigottiThe Conspiracy against the Human Race

The Conspiracy against the Human Race

by Thomas Ligotti

Nick BostromSuperintelligence

Superintelligence

by Nick Bostrom

Søren KierkegaardFear and Trembling

Fear and Trembling

by Søren Kierkegaard

Maurice Merleau-PontyPhenomenology of Perception

Phenomenology of Perception

by Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Friedrich NietzscheOn the Genealogy of Morals

On the Genealogy of Morals

by Friedrich Nietzsche

Erich FrommTo Have or To Be?

To Have or To Be?

by Erich Fromm

Friedrich NietzscheWie man wird, was man ist

Wie man wird, was man ist

by Friedrich Nietzsche

Sarah BakewellHow to Live

How to Live

by Sarah Bakewell

Alan WattsThe Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book on the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

by Alan Watts

Friedrich NietzscheTwilight of the Idols

Twilight of the Idols

by Friedrich Nietzsche

Theodor W. AdornoDialectic of Enlightenment (Cultural Memory in the Present)

Dialectic of Enlightenment (Cultural Memory in the Present)

by Theodor W. Adorno

Albert CamusThe Myth Of Sisyphus

The Myth Of Sisyphus

by Albert Camus

Augustine of HippoCity of God

City of God

by Augustine of Hippo

Friedrich NietzscheNietzsche: The Gay Science

Nietzsche: The Gay Science

by Friedrich Nietzsche

Søren KierkegaardEither/Or

Either/Or

by Søren Kierkegaard

Edward S. Robinson, Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann, John Macquarrie, Martin Haidegger, Martin Haydegger, Martin HeideggerBeing and Time

Being and Time

by Edward S. Robinson, Friedrich-Wilhelm von Herrmann et al.

Show all

Modern Ethical Dilemmas

Modern Ethical Dilemmas explores the moral challenges of today's world. This subgenre appeals to readers interested in the complexities of contemporary issues and the philosophical debates surrounding them.

mechil foucault, Michel Foucault, Simon PrebbleDiscipline and Punish

Discipline and Punish

by mechil foucault, Michel Foucault et al.

Theodor W. AdornoMinima Moralia

Minima Moralia

by Theodor W. Adorno

Alain De Botton, The School of LifeThe School of Life

The School of Life

by Alain De Botton, The School of Life

Oliver BurkemanThe Antidote

The Antidote

by Oliver Burkeman

Jean-Jacques RousseauA Discourse on Inequality

A Discourse on Inequality

by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Byung-Chul HanThe Burnout Society

The Burnout Society

by Byung-Chul Han

Alasdair C. MacIntyre, Alasdair MacIntyreAfter Virtue

After Virtue

by Alasdair C. MacIntyre, Alasdair MacIntyre

Glen PettigroveForgiveness and Love

Forgiveness and Love

by Glen Pettigrove

Ludwig WittgensteinPhilosophical Investigations

Philosophical Investigations

by Ludwig Wittgenstein

David Foster WallaceThis is water

This is water

by David Foster Wallace

David BenatarBetter Never to Have Been

Better Never to Have Been

by David Benatar

Friedrich NietzscheOn the Genealogy of Morals

On the Genealogy of Morals

by Friedrich Nietzsche

Immanuel KantCritique of Pure Reason

Critique of Pure Reason

by Immanuel Kant

Daniel C. DennettBreaking the Spell

Breaking the Spell

by Daniel C. Dennett

Harry G. FrankfurtOn Bullshit

On Bullshit

by Harry G. Frankfurt

Aldous HuxleyThe Doors of Perception

The Doors of Perception

by Aldous Huxley

J. M. DillardStar Trek Generations

Star Trek Generations

by J. M. Dillard

Jacques DerridaWriting and Difference

Writing and Difference

by Jacques Derrida

T. M. ScanlonWhat We Owe to Each Other

What We Owe to Each Other

by T. M. Scanlon

Arthur SchopenhauerDie Kunst, Recht zu behalten

Die Kunst, Recht zu behalten

by Arthur Schopenhauer

Jean-François LyotardThe Postmodern Condition

The Postmodern Condition

by Jean-François Lyotard

Show all

Political Theory

Engage with the foundational ideas that underpin political systems through books on political theory. These works explore the concepts and debates that continue to shape political thought.

Marcel DirsusHow Tyrants Fall

How Tyrants Fall

by Marcel Dirsus

Jonathan WhiteIn the Long Run

In the Long Run

by Jonathan White

Brian Tyler CohenShameless

Shameless

by Brian Tyler Cohen

György LukácsHistory and Class Consciousness

History and Class Consciousness

by György Lukács

Ramachandra GuhaIndia After Gandhi

India After Gandhi

by Ramachandra Guha

John KampfnerIn Search Of Berlin

In Search Of Berlin

by John Kampfner

Jean-Jacques RousseauDiscourse on the Origin of Inequality

Discourse on the Origin of Inequality

by Jean-Jacques Rousseau

ConfuciusThe Analects

The Analects

by Confucius

Neil PriceThe Children of Ash and Elm

The Children of Ash and Elm

by Neil Price

Kehinde AndrewsThe New Age of Empire

The New Age of Empire

by Kehinde Andrews

Christopher ClarkPrisoners of Time

Prisoners of Time

by Christopher Clark

Ray DalioPrinciples for Dealing with the Changing World Order

Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order

by Ray Dalio

Antonio M. Jaime, Ezra Klein, Howard W. French, Luis MillerBorn in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War

Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War

by Antonio M. Jaime, Ezra Klein et al.

Ronan FarrowWar on Peace

War on Peace

by Ronan Farrow

Jill LeporeIf Then

If Then

by Jill Lepore

Barbara DemickEat the Buddha

Eat the Buddha

by Barbara Demick

Stephanie KeltonThe Deficit Myth

The Deficit Myth

by Stephanie Kelton

Che GuevaraGuerrilla Warfare

Guerrilla Warfare

by Che Guevara

Thomas HobbesLeviathan

Leviathan

by Thomas Hobbes

Francisco Ramos, Rashid KhalidiThe Hundred Years' War on Palestine

The Hundred Years' War on Palestine

by Francisco Ramos, Rashid Khalidi

authorRenegades

Renegades

by author

Show all

Award Winning Literature

Step into the world of **Award Winning Literature books**, where every page resonates with excellence and acclaim. These books have not only captured the hearts of readers but have also been recognized by prestigious literary awards.

J. K. RowlingHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: MinaLima Edition

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: MinaLima Edition

by J. K. Rowling

Veronica RothDivergent

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Delia OwensWhere the Crawdads Sing - Collector's Edition

Where the Crawdads Sing - Collector's Edition

by Delia Owens

Anthony DoerrAll the Light We Cannot See

All the Light We Cannot See

by Anthony Doerr

Frank HerbertDune

Dune

by Frank Herbert

William GoldingLord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies

by William Golding

Charlotte BrontëJane Eyre

Jane Eyre

by Charlotte Brontë

V. E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab, Victoria SchwabThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

by V. E. Schwab, V.E. Schwab et al.

E. B. White, Guillermo Solana AlonsoCharlotte's Web

Charlotte's Web

by E. B. White, Guillermo Solana Alonso

Madeline MillerCirce

Circe

by Madeline Miller

John SteinbeckOf Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men

by John Steinbeck

Bram StokerDracula

Dracula

by Bram Stoker

Christopher PaoliniEragon

Eragon

by Christopher Paolini

Frances Hodgson BurnettThe Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Christina Lamb, Malala YousafzaiI Am Malala

I Am Malala

by Christina Lamb, Malala Yousafzai

Taylor Jenkins ReidDaisy Jones and The Six

Daisy Jones and The Six

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Jennifer L. ArmentroutFrom Blood and Ash

From Blood and Ash

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Erin MorgensternThe Night Circus

The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern

Kurt VonnegutSlaughterhouse 5

Slaughterhouse 5

by Kurt Vonnegut

Holly JacksonA Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Collectors Edition

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Collectors Edition

by Holly Jackson

Madeleine L'EngleA Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time

by Madeleine L'Engle

André AcimanCall Me By Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

by André Aciman

Charles Dixon, J.R.R. TolkienThe Hobbit

The Hobbit

by Charles Dixon, J.R.R. Tolkien

Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lucy M. . MontgomeryAnne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables

by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Lucy M. . Montgomery

Karen M. McManusOne of Us Is Lying

One of Us Is Lying

by Karen M. McManus

Patrick RothfussThe Name of the Wind

The Name of the Wind

by Patrick Rothfuss

Alice OsemanHeartstopper Volume 1

Heartstopper Volume 1

by Alice Oseman

Sarah J. MaasCrown of Midnight

Crown of Midnight

by Sarah J. Maas

William ShakespeareHamlet

Hamlet

by William Shakespeare

Roald DahlCharlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

by Roald Dahl

Show all

Politics

Delve into the world of politics books that illuminate the intricate workings of power and governance. Whether you're a seasoned political analyst or a curious newcomer, these works offer insights into past and present political landscapes.

Chris Van Wyk, Nelson Mandela, Paddy BoumaLong Walk To Freedom

Long Walk To Freedom

by Chris Van Wyk, Nelson Mandela et al.

Isabel WilkersonCaste

Caste

by Isabel Wilkerson

Cristina Lizarbe, Ibram X. KendiHow To Be an Antiracist

How To Be an Antiracist

by Cristina Lizarbe, Ibram X. Kendi

George OrwellHomage to Catalonia

Homage to Catalonia

by George Orwell

Jon RonsonSo You've Been Publicly Shamed

So You've Been Publicly Shamed

by Jon Ronson

James O'BrienHow They Broke Britain

How They Broke Britain

by James O'Brien

Hannah RitchieNot the End of the World

Not the End of the World

by Hannah Ritchie

Richard OveryBlood and Ruins

Blood and Ruins

by Richard Overy

Zeinab BadawiAn African History of Africa

An African History of Africa

by Zeinab Badawi

Matthew DesmondPoverty, by America

Poverty, by America

by Matthew Desmond

Jeffrey ArcherMightier than the Sword

Mightier than the Sword

by Jeffrey Archer

Annie JacobsenNuclear War

Nuclear War

by Annie Jacobsen

Rory StewartPolitics On the Edge

Politics On the Edge

by Rory Stewart

James Carse, James P. CarseFinite and Infinite Games

Finite and Infinite Games

by James Carse, James P. Carse

Friedrich Engels, Karl MarxThe Communist Manifesto

The Communist Manifesto

by Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx

Rebecca TraisterGood and Mad

Good and Mad

by Rebecca Traister

Bolton, JohnThe Room Where It Happened

The Room Where It Happened

by Bolton, John

Evelyn WaughScoop

Scoop

by Evelyn Waugh

Christopher ClarkRevolutionary Spring

Revolutionary Spring

by Christopher Clark

Andrea WulfMagnificent Rebels

Magnificent Rebels

by Andrea Wulf

Bret BaierTo Rescue the Republic

To Rescue the Republic

by Bret Baier

Katja HoyerBeyond the Wall

Beyond the Wall

by Katja Hoyer

Vaclav SmilHow the World Really Works

How the World Really Works

by Vaclav Smil

Anne ApplebaumAutocracy, Inc

Autocracy, Inc

by Anne Applebaum

Nikole Hannah-JonesThe 1619 Project

The 1619 Project

by Nikole Hannah-Jones

David GrannThe Wager

The Wager

by David Grann

Mark FisherCapitalist Realism (New Edition)

Capitalist Realism (New Edition)

by Mark Fisher

Masha GessenThe Man Without a Face

The Man Without a Face

by Masha Gessen

Angela Y. Davis, Esther Donato, Juanita DevisAn Autobiography

An Autobiography

by Angela Y. Davis, Esther Donato et al.

Serhii PlokhyNuclear Folly

Nuclear Folly

by Serhii Plokhy

Show all

Philosophy

Embark on a journey through the profound and thought-provoking world of philosophy books. Whether you're seeking to unravel the mysteries of existence or explore ethical dilemmas, our collection offers something for every curious mind.

Charlie MackesyThe Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: The Animated Story

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: The Animated Story

by Charlie Mackesy

Kahlil GibranThe Prophet

The Prophet

by Kahlil Gibran

Steven PinkerRationality

Rationality

by Steven Pinker

Albert CamusThe Fall

The Fall

by Albert Camus

Søren KierkegaardThe Sickness Unto Death

The Sickness Unto Death

by Søren Kierkegaard

Ludwig WittgensteinTractatus Logico-Philosophicus

Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus

by Ludwig Wittgenstein

John Strelecky, Root LeebThe Café on the Edge of the World

The Café on the Edge of the World

by John Strelecky, Root Leeb

Yuval Noah Harari21 Lessons for the 21st Century

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

by Yuval Noah Harari

Robert M. PirsigZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

by Robert M. Pirsig

Muriel BarberyThe Elegance of the Hedgehog

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

by Muriel Barbery

Jonathan Safran FoerEating Animals

Eating Animals

by Jonathan Safran Foer

Thomas MannThe Magic Mountain

The Magic Mountain

by Thomas Mann

Friedrich NietzscheBeyond Good and Evil

Beyond Good and Evil

by Friedrich Nietzsche

Albert CamusThe Outsider

The Outsider

by Albert Camus

Alain De BottonThe Architecture of Happiness

The Architecture of Happiness

by Alain De Botton

Jenny Odell, Rebecca GibelHow To Do Nothing

How To Do Nothing

by Jenny Odell, Rebecca Gibel

Bertrand RussellHistory of Western Philosophy

History of Western Philosophy

by Bertrand Russell

Ryan HolidayThe Obstacle is the Way

The Obstacle is the Way

by Ryan Holiday

Douglas R. HofstadterGödel, Escher, Bach : an eternal golden braid

Gödel, Escher, Bach : an eternal golden braid

by Douglas R. Hofstadter

Nassim Nicholas TalebAntifragile

Antifragile

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Shunryū SuzukiZen Mind, Beginner's Mind

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

by Shunryū Suzuki

Carlo RovelliSeven Brief Lessons on Physics

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

by Carlo Rovelli

Fumitake Koga Ichiro KishimiCourage To Be Disliked

Courage To Be Disliked

by Fumitake Koga Ichiro Kishimi

Sam HarrisWaking Up

Waking Up

by Sam Harris

Steven PinkerEnlightenment Now

Enlightenment Now

by Steven Pinker

David Graeber, David WengrowThe Dawn of Everything

The Dawn of Everything

by David Graeber, David Wengrow

Thomas MoreUtopia

Utopia

by Thomas More

Rutger BregmanHumankind

Humankind

by Rutger Bregman

Show all

Classics

Step into the world of Classics books, where timeless tales continue to captivate readers across generations. From the profound narratives of the Enlightenment to the passionate prose of Romanticism, these books offer a rich tapestry of history and culture.