Education and emancipation in the critical theory of the society of Theodor W. Adorno

Abstract

This article presents the contribution of Theodor W. Adorno to the configuration of an education capable of confronting contemporary irrationalism, through a resumption of the definition of dialectics as a critic of philosophical thought. It has modernly limited itself to rationalizing rationality to the highest power, without dwelling on the effects of its unfulfilled promises. The work of Adorno is recognized by a propensity according to which it is the responsibility of philosophy to critically reflect and clarify the way culture organizes itself. Such a proposition leads to a theoretical project that presupposes an awareness of the misconceptions of reason, in an attempt that, through enlightenment, man can construct possibilities of autonomy and emancipation. The article is organized in two parts, as follows: 1. Theorical-practical ambitions of the critical theory of society and 2) The threads that weave TW Adorno's critical theory, divided into three topics: a) The general cultural climate of late capitalism - the propensity for barbarism; b) Bankruptcy of culture - objective reason of barbarism; c) Reflexes of damaged life: the sickness of contact.