The idea of a critical social theory: Past, present and future

Abstract

Through a rereading of the development of critical theory of the Frankfurt School, the article attempts to show in which way Axel Honneth’s theory is part of a process of learning and change of paradigm in the tradition of the Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School, inaugurated by Max Horkheimer in its inaugural class (Antrittsvorlesung) at the Instut for Social Research. Furthermore, the author presents the main questions that this theoretical model has to respond if it wants to present an answer to the contemporary problems. The autor also suggests that this theory needs to clarify the reasoning of his mormativity and to improve interdisciplinarity.