The Problems of Modernity: Adorno and Benjamin

by Andrew Benjamin (Editor)

The central and privileged place of the philosophical problem of modernity has been threatened by the possibility advanced by Jean-Francois Lyotard that modernity as a project is over and the new concern is the postmodern. This collection brings together some of the most innovative acadmics working in the area of European radical philosophy in order to tackle the problems of modernity and postmodernity. Issues covered range from art, literature and music to feminism and Judaism.

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Problems of Modernity: Adorno and Benjamin consists of a series of essays that each in its own way situate the thought of these two philosophers within the context of late 20th Century European Philosophy. Whether post-structuralism, feminism or Habermas’ critical theory, the individual essays take up similar themes demonstrating both the value of the continued study of Adorno and Benjamin as well as their philosophical limitations. The essays have a strong explanatory power and insight, and the feminist essays provide cogent criticism of both Adorno and Benjamin. At the same time, I didn’t think any one essay or the anthology as a whole moved the ball forward in understanding their respective projects. That does not mean they were bad essays; it is just that there was never an ah-ha! moment that came from reading any of them.