Frankfurt School

Max Horkheimer: Architect of Critical Theory

Max Horkheimer: Architect of Critical Theory

Max Horkheimer’s name is synonymous with the heart of the Frankfurt School. As one of its towering figures, Horkheimer not only led the Institute for Social Research through its most formative years but also helped shape what we now know as Critical Theory—a framework that blends philosophy, sociology, and culture to dissect the complexities of modern society.

Carl Grünberg: The Founding Force Behind the Frankfurt School

Carl Grünberg: The Founding Force Behind the Frankfurt School

Born in 1861 in Focsani (in what was then Austria-Hungary), Grünberg was a Marxist historian and economist. His work focused on the materialist conception of history, and he was deeply invested in understanding the relationship between economics, class structures, and social change.

The Culture Industry: Adorno and Horkheimer’s theory that mass-produced culture creates passive consumers—seen today in the commodification of activism and constant streaming entertainment that distracts from civic engagement.

The Culture Industry: Mass Production, Passive Consumers, and the Modern Distraction Machine

The Culture Industry: Adorno and Horkheimer’s theory that mass-produced culture creates passive consumers—seen today in the commodification of activism and constant streaming entertainment that distracts from civic engagement.

Immanent Critique: When Ideals Clash With Reality

Immanent Critique: When Ideals Clash With Reality

This article explores the power of interdisciplinary critique—how blending perspectives from different fields sparks fresh insights and challenges entrenched thinking. Featuring a nod to the Frankfurt School, it unpacks why crossing disciplinary lines is essential for tackling today’s complex problems.

Interdisciplinary Critique

Interdisciplinary Critique: Why We Need It Now More Than Ever

This article explores the power of interdisciplinary critique—how blending perspectives from different fields sparks fresh insights and challenges entrenched thinking. Featuring a nod to the Frankfurt School, it unpacks why crossing disciplinary lines is essential for tackling today’s complex problems.