Critical theory of society

Pre-requisites: Previous knowledge of basic ideas of German classical idealism and orientations in basic trends of contemporary philosophy.

Course objectives: Introduction to basic ideas of critical theory, their significance for understanding contemporary socio-historical trends, and their relevance to critical understanding of modern scientific and technological rationality.

Course description: Conceptual background and historical motivations of critical theory; distinction between traditional and critical theory; dialectics of the relationship between rationaity and domination, knowledge and power; critique of unilateralism of instrumental rationality and scientism; connecting the critical potentials of psychoanalyis and tradition of dialectical thought; relation to other theoretical orientations (existentialsim, pragmatism, neopositivism, hermeneutics).

Learning Outcomes: Understanding the connection between ideas and socio-historical contexts, mastering the potentials of critical analysis of basic problems of modern scientific and technological culture.

Literature/Reading:

• Horkhajmer M., Tradicionalna i kritička teorija, Beograd, 1976., str. 39-89. (R/KDA) Markuze H., Kultura i društvo, Beograd, 1977., str.73-90. (R/KDA)
• Benjamin V., Eseji, Beograd, 1974., str. 54-90. (R/KDA)
• Horkhajmer M., Adorno T., Dijalektika prosvjetiteljstva, Sarajevo, 1974., str. 14-53. (R/KDA)
• Horkhajmer M., Kritika instrumentalnog uma, Zagreb, 1988., str.5-131. (R/KDA)
• Markuze H., Čovjek jedne dimenzije, Sarajevo, 1989. (R/KDA)
• Habermas J., Tehnika i znanost kao «ideologija», Zagreb, 1986. (R/KDA)
• Habermas J., Tehnika i znanost kao «ideologija», Zagreb, 1986. (R/KDA)
• Habermas J., Postmetafizičko mišljenje, Beograd, 2002., str. 38-66; 68-114; 115-149; 168-205. (R/KDA)
• Džej M., Dijalektička imaginacija, Sarajevo, 1982.(KDA)
• Schmidt A., Rusconi G.E., Frankfurtska škola, Beograd, 1974. (R/KDA)