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Theodor W. Adorno (1903-69) was one of the foremost philosophers and social theorists of the post-war period. Crucial to the development of Critical Theory, his highly original and distinctive but often difficult writings not only advance questions of fundamental philosophical significance, but provide deep-reaching analyses of literature, art, music sociology and political theory.
In this comprehensive introduction, Brian O'Connor explains Adorno's philosophy for those coming to his work for the first time, through original new lines of interpretation. Beginning with an overview of Adorno's life and key philosophical views and influences, which contextualizes the intellectual environment in which he worked, O'Connor assesses the central elements of Adorno's philosophy.
He carefully examines Adorno's distinctive style of analysis and shows how much of his work is a critical response to the various forms of identity thinking that have underpinned the destructive forces of modernity. He goes on to discuss the main areas of Adorno's philosophy: social theory, the philosophy of experience, metaphysics, morality and aesthetics; setting out detailed accounts of Adorno's notions of the dialectic of Enlightenment, reification, totality, mediation, identity, nonidentity, experience, negative dialectics, immanence, freedom, autonomy, imitation and autonomy in art. The final chapter considers Adorno's philosophical legacy and importance today.
Including a chronology, glossary, chapter summaries, and suggestions for further reading, Adorno is an ideal introduction to this demanding but important thinker, and essential reading for students of philosophy, literature, sociology and cultural studies.
In this comprehensive introduction, Brian O'Connor explains Adorno's philosophy for those coming to his work for the first time, through original new lines of interpretation. Beginning with an overview of Adorno's life and key philosophical views and influences, which contextualizes the intellectual environment in which he worked, O'Connor assesses the central elements of Adorno's philosophy.
He carefully examines Adorno's distinctive style of analysis and shows how much of his work is a critical response to the various forms of identity thinking that have underpinned the destructive forces of modernity. He goes on to discuss the main areas of Adorno's philosophy: social theory, the philosophy of experience, metaphysics, morality and aesthetics; setting out detailed accounts of Adorno's notions of the dialectic of Enlightenment, reification, totality, mediation, identity, nonidentity, experience, negative dialectics, immanence, freedom, autonomy, imitation and autonomy in art. The final chapter considers Adorno's philosophical legacy and importance today.
Including a chronology, glossary, chapter summaries, and suggestions for further reading, Adorno is an ideal introduction to this demanding but important thinker, and essential reading for students of philosophy, literature, sociology and cultural studies.
- GenresPhilosophyNonfiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 11, 2015
Brian O’Connor’s Adorno is a rock solid piece of philosophical explanation. In it, O’Connor delineates the key concepts of Adorno’s arguments from mimesis to reification to totality to autonomy. In the process, he shows how Adorno’s work on art, epistemology and metaphysics has deeply ethical roots based upon his critique of totality and the imperative to deny the world another Auschwitz.
The book serves as an excellent companion piece to O’Connor’s other book, Adorno’s Negative Dialectic, even as it covers some of the same ground. Here, however, O’Connor presents a picture of how Adorno engages and returns to key concepts throughout his philosophical enterprise. From his early works on social critique to the late piece, Aesthetic Theory, Adorno is incredibly consistent in thinking through mediation and nonidentity over against system philosophies. In this, O’Connor shows that though Adorno shunned systematic philosophical methodology, there remains a constellation of recurring concepts and treatment of the history of philosophy that produced a sustained critique of the philosophical tradition and the triumph of instrumental reason.
The book will not likely cause a reader of Adorno to rethink key ideas, but as a text that sets out to explicate Adorno’s thinking, it is incredibly accessible and useful.
The book serves as an excellent companion piece to O’Connor’s other book, Adorno’s Negative Dialectic, even as it covers some of the same ground. Here, however, O’Connor presents a picture of how Adorno engages and returns to key concepts throughout his philosophical enterprise. From his early works on social critique to the late piece, Aesthetic Theory, Adorno is incredibly consistent in thinking through mediation and nonidentity over against system philosophies. In this, O’Connor shows that though Adorno shunned systematic philosophical methodology, there remains a constellation of recurring concepts and treatment of the history of philosophy that produced a sustained critique of the philosophical tradition and the triumph of instrumental reason.
The book will not likely cause a reader of Adorno to rethink key ideas, but as a text that sets out to explicate Adorno’s thinking, it is incredibly accessible and useful.
October 3, 2013
This is the clearest and philosophically more precise introduction to Adorno's thought I read. Highly recommended.
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March 27, 2018One of the best introductions to Adorno's difficult and seminal thought. Could have more on the dialectic.
September 23, 2022
Great primer...the book I'll pull off the shelf when I need to pretend that I understand Adorno's Negative Dialectics
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews