The Attitude to the Critical Theory

Habermas is considered to be the most significant contemporary figure of critical theory, or rather of the second generation of the Frankfurt School. Here we will review the basics of the Frankfurt School and critical theory. Habermas developed his own view of the place of critical theory in the system of sciences, which will be presented here. We put a special emphasis on Habermas’s attitude toward critical theory, especially toward the most significant representatives of the first generation of the Frankfurt School. Here we will present Habermas’s opinion on significant aspects of the theoretical oeuvre of Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse, and Lukács. Habermas shows a high level of understanding and respect for the theoretical oeuvre of the mentioned theorists but also makes a critical distance toward them.