Critical Social Theory: Prophetic Reason, Civil Society, and Christian Imagination

by Gary M. Simpson (Editor)

Critical theory explained and espoused Simpson ably introduces critical social theory, the German-born intellectual movement that has spawned sharp criticisms of modernity, its use of reason, and our highly technological, bureaucratic culture. Part 1 recounts the emergence of critical social theory within the Frankfurt School of Social Research and the theological stirrings that the Frankfurt project sparked, especially in Paul Tillich. Part 2 explores Jrgen Habermas' reconception and expansion of critical social theory, especially his ideas about hermeneutics, praxis, communicative action, and civil society as the locus of prophetic social movements. Finally, in Part 3 Simpson shows how Christian theology employs critical social theory for the tasks of prophetic reason in a global civil society. Simpson's work is at once a programmatic introduction and a creative theological proposal for public theology.

Genres: Christian

178 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a niche book, but one of the best books I've read in a long time. If you're new-ish to critical theory (I mean, you know something about, or are willing to put in some energy to knowing about Kant, Hegel, Marx, Adorno/Horkheimer, Tillich, Habermas) and have a christian background, this book is brilliant.

Simpson basically walks through Horkheimer's reception of Kant, Hegel and Marx, which appreciates some aspects of each, but also reveals their limitations. He then shows how without Tillich the frankfurt school of critical theory would not exist, and what Tillich's reception and critique of them is. Then shows that Habermas' reception of critical theory is a lot like Tillich's. He then suggests that the church can be where critical theory and prophetic imagination come together, which is what Tillich and Habermas are both suggesting. I kept wishing he would address Walter Benjamin, whose "Theses on the Philosophy of History" seems like it directly relates.

A pity the landscape is so barren in the US when it comes to these social ethics.

I found Samuel Moyn's "Origin of the Other" (about Levinas' ethical philosophy) a perfect follow up to round out a grasp of the way continental philosophy sees theology.

Then if you want the next level I recommend something from Bracha Ettinger about "matrixial subjectivity" which connects more to Moyn/Levinas than Simpson/Critical theory, but somewhere in these three is what I think is the best assessment of what is going on theologically.

You might get to it in the easiest fashion by just reading Dorothee Soelle.