Max Horkheimer Books
Max Horkheimer (1895–1973) was a German social philosopher and one of the leading figures of the Frankfurt School. He served as director of the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt am Main and collaborated closely with Theodor W.
Known for: Eclipse of Reason
Books by Max Horkheimer
Eclipse of Reason
In this influential work, Max Horkheimer examines the evolution of reason in modern society and critiques its reduction to a merely instrumental tool for achieving ends. He argues that this form of reason leads to alienation and domination by neglecting ethical and critical dimensions. The book is considered a key text of Critical Theory and a continuation of ideas developed with Theodor W. Adorno in 'Dialectic of Enlightenment.'
Read SummaryKey Insights from Max Horkheimer
Historical Background
To understand the predicament of modern reason, we must look back to its origins. In classical philosophy, from ancient Greece through the Enlightenment’s early stages, reason was not simply a cognitive tool but a cosmic and ethical order. For Plato, reason corresponded to the realm of eternal forms...
From Eclipse of Reason
Objective Reason
Objective reason once signified the conviction that the world and human life exhibit an inherent rational structure. To think rationally was to align one’s mind and actions with that order. In this sense, reason was substantive: it could pronounce certain ends as right or good in themselves. Ethical...
From Eclipse of Reason
About Max Horkheimer
Max Horkheimer (1895–1973) was a German social philosopher and one of the leading figures of the Frankfurt School. He served as director of the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt am Main and collaborated closely with Theodor W. Adorno. His works on Critical Theory, particularly on the dialec...
Read more
Max Horkheimer (1895–1973) was a German social philosopher and one of the leading figures of the Frankfurt School. He served as director of the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt am Main and collaborated closely with Theodor W. Adorno. His works on Critical Theory, particularly on the dialec...
Max Horkheimer (1895–1973) was a German social philosopher and one of the leading figures of the Frankfurt School. He served as director of the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt am Main and collaborated closely with Theodor W. Adorno. His works on Critical Theory, particularly on the dialectic of enlightenment and instrumental reason, profoundly shaped twentieth-century social philosophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Max Horkheimer (1895–1973) was a German social philosopher and one of the leading figures of the Frankfurt School. He served as director of the Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt am Main and collaborated closely with Theodor W.
Read Max Horkheimer's books in 15 minutes
Get AI-powered summaries with key insights from 1 book by Max Horkheimer.