Table of Contents

Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

Part I: Critical Theory: The Frankfurt School:.

1. The formation of the Institute of Social Research.

2. Class, Class Conflict and the Development of Capitalism:.

Critical theory and political economy.

3. The Culture Industry:.

Critical theory and aesthetics.

4. The Changing Structure of the Family and the Individual:.

Critical theory and psychoanalysis.

5. The Critique of Instrumental Reason:.

Critical theory and philosophy of history.

6. Horkheimer's Formulation of Critical Theory:.

Epistemology and method 1.

7. Adorno's Conception of Negative Dialectics:.

Epistemology and method 2.

8. Marcuse's Notions of Theory and Practice:.

Epistemology and method 3.

Part II: Critical Theory: Habermas:.

9. Introduction to Habermas.

10. Discourse, Science and Society.

11. Interests, Knowledge and Action.

12. The Reformulation of the Foundations of Critical Theory.

Part III: The Importance and Limitations of Critical Theory:.

13. An Assessment of the Frankfurt School and Habermas.

14. The concept of critical theory.

About the Author

David Held is Graham Wallas Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Reviews

'The best introduction to, and analysis of the work of the leading figures in the 'Frankfurt School' that has yet appeared. It should become the standard work in the field.' Political Studies 'An important and usefu book.' Journal of the History of Sociology 'The book is clearly written, packed with information and biographical references, and most of all, well-organized.' Contemporary Sociology 'David Held's book presents the major strands of critical theory in an accessible and comprehensive form ... a valuable presentation and evaluation of the thought of the Frankfurt School and some of its critics.' Political Studies