Social critique in the totally socialized society

Abstract

The article examines Adorno's conviction that a critique of concepts inevitably entails acritique of society. Some commentators, notably Cook, read Adorno's idea of the seamlesstransition from conceptual to social critique as dependent on the use of normativeconcepts. According to this 'Marxist' reading, a critique of unfaithful concepts provokes apersuasive and constructive critique of society for failing to fulfil concepts. This line ofargument creates problems. Adorno's inquiries into society's resistance to deciphermentimply that the progression from conceptual to social critique via normative concepts leadsto advocating misguided, potentially dangerous social standards. In response to thisdilemma, the article proposes an alternative interpretation of the transition fromconceptual to social critique. The focus shifts from normative concepts to Adorno'sexaminations of society as a condition of false consciousness and suffering. From thisperspective, conceptual critique entails a convincing - albeit no longer constructive -critique of society. © The Author(s) 2011.