The SAGE Handbook of Frankfurt School Critical Theory expounds the development of critical theory from its founding thinkers to its contemporary formulations in an interdisciplinary setting. It maps the terrain of a critical social theory, expounding its distinctive character vis-a-vis alternative theoretical perspectives, exploring its theoretical foundations and developments, conceptualising its subject matters both past and present, and signalling its possible future in a time of great uncertainty. Taking a distinctively theoretical, interdisciplinary, international and contemporary perspective on the topic, this wide-ranging collection of chapters is arranged thematically over three volumes: Volume I: Key Texts and Contributions to a Critical Theory of Society Volume II: Themes Volume III: Contexts This Handbook is essential reading for scholars and students in the field, showcasing the scholarly rigor, intellectual acuteness and negative force of critical social theory, past and present.

The Image of Benjamin1

The Image of Benjamin1

The Image of Benjamin
David Kaufmann

Benjamin’s writings are an attempt in ever new ways to make philosophically fruitful what has not yet been foreclosed by great intentions. The task he bequeathed was not to abandon such an attempt to the estranging enigmas of thought alone, but to bring the intention less within the realm of concepts: the obligation to think at the same time dialectically and undialectically.

T.W. Adorno (Adorno, 2006a: 151–2; emphasis added)

The Figure of Contradiction

Walter Benjamin (1892–1940) has always cut a difficult figure. Mystical Marxist, materialist Jew, he was the self-conscious embodiment of contradiction. He performed contradiction in his work and in his life. He triangulated friendships with any number of the most important and opposed ...

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