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.
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