OConnor Brian - Adorno

Theodor W. Adorno (190369) was one of the foremost philosophers and social theorists of the post-war period. Crucial to the development of Critical Theory, his highly original and distinctive but often difficult writings not only advance questions of fundamental philosophical significance, but provide deep-reaching analyses of literature, art, music, sociology and political theory.

In this comprehensive introduction, Brian OConnor explains Adornos philosophy for those coming to his work for the first time, through original new lines of interpretation. Beginning with an overview of Adornos life and key philosophical views and influences, which contextualizes the intellectual environment in which he worked, OConnor assesses the central elements of Adornos philosophy.

He carefully examines Adornos distinctive style of analysis and shows how much of his work is a critical response to the various forms of identity thinking that have underpinned the destructive forces of modernity. He goes on to discuss the main areas of Adornos philosophy: social theory, the philosophy of experience, metaphysics, morality and aesthetics; setting out detailed accounts of Adornos notions of the dialectic of Enlightenment, reification, totality, mediation, identity, nonidentity, experience, negative dialectics, immanence, freedom, autonomy, imitation and autonomy in art. The final chapter considers Adornos philosophical legacy and importance today.

Including a chronology, glossary, chapter summaries, and suggestions for further reading, Adorno is an ideal introduction to this demanding but important thinker, and essential reading for students of philosophy, literature, sociology and cultural studies.

Brian OConnor is Associate Professor of Philosophy at University College Dublin, Ireland. He is the author of Adorno s Negative Dialectic (2004) and editor of The Adorno Reader (2000).

Edited by Brian Leiter

University of Chicago

Routledge Philosophers is a major series of introductions to the great Western philosophers. Each book places a major philosopher or thinker in historical context, explains and assesses their key arguments, and considers their legacy. Additional features include a chronology of major dates and events, chapter summaries, annotated suggestions for further reading and a glossary of technical terms.

An ideal starting point for those new to philosophy, they are also essential reading for those interested in the subject at any level.

Hobbes
A. P. Martinich

Leibniz
Nicholas Jolley

Locke
E. J. Lowe

Hegel
Frederick Beiser

Rousseau
Nicholas Dent

Schopenhauer
Julian Young

Freud
Jonathan Lear

Kant
Paul Guyer

Husserl
David Woodruff Smith

Darwin
Tim Lewens

Aristotle
Christopher Shields

Rawls
Samuel Freeman

Spinoza
Michael Della Rocca

Merleau-Ponty
Taylor Carman

Russell
Gregory Landini

Wittgenstein
William Child

Heidegger
John Richardson

Forthcoming:

Plato
Constance Meinwald

Hume
Don Garrett

Dewey
Steven Fesmire

Habermas
Kenneth Baynes

Smith
Eric Schliesser

Mill
Daniel Jacobson

Nietzsche
Maudemarie Clark

Brian O'Connor

First published 2013

by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2013 Brian O'Connor

The right of Brian O'Connor to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for indentification and explanation without intent to infringe.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
O'Connor, Brian, 1965
Adorno / by Brian O' Connor.
p. cm. -- [Routledge philosophers]
Includes bibliographical references [p.] and index.
1. Adorno, Theodor W., 1903-1969. I. Title.
B3199.A34026 2012
193--dc23
2012011988

ISBN: 978-0-415-36735-6 (hbk)

ISBN: 978-0-415-36736-3 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-0-203-01983-2 (ebk)

Typeset in Joanna and DINOT
by Taylor & Francis Books

For Eileen