Adorno: A Guide for the Perplexed

by Alex Thomson

Overview

One of the most influential philosophers and cultural theorists of the twentieth century, Theodor Adorno poses a considerable challenge to students. His works can often seem obscure and impenetrable, particularly for those with little knowledge of the philosophical traditions on which he draws. Adorno: A Guide for the Perplexed is an engaging and accessible account of his thought that does not patronise or short-change the reader. Those new to Adorno - and those who have struggled to make headway with his work - will find this an invaluable resource: clearly written, comprehensive and specifically focused on just what makes Adorno difficult to read and understand.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826474209
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/24/2006
Series:	Guides for the Perplexed
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.39(d)

About the Author

Alex Thomson is a lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Edinburgh.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Against Authenticity Weimar Years In America
Adorno's Cultural Criticism Returban Aftermath
2. Art and Culture Adorno and Popular Music
The Aesthetics of Music Modernism or avant-garde?
History and Truth-Content
The Culture Industry Aesthetic theory and ideology-critique
3. Freedom and Society Wrong Life: Adorno's Minima
Moralia Adorno and Kant Freedom and Society Dialectic of Enlightenment
The morality of thinking Living with Guilt
4. Philosophy and History Writing the Disaster
Crisis of Reason Against Historicism
The task of philosophy
Adorno & Marxism
Conclusion
Notes
Further Reading
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

'Alex Thompson's book not only illuminates Adorno's most important ideas, it makes an original contribution to contemporary social theory... The book will be of great clarificatory use for undergraduates, and will provide much stimulus to postgraduates and academics as well.' Darrow Schecter, University of Sussex

From the Publisher