Max Horkheimer | |
---|---|
![]() Horkheimer in Heidelberg in 1964 | |
Born | |
Died | 7 July 1973 | (aged 78)
Nationality | German, American |
Era | 20th century philosophy |
Region | Western philosophy |
School | Continental philosophy, Frankfurt School critical theory, Western Marxism |
Main interests | Social theory, Counter-Enlightenment |
Notable ideas | Critical theory as opposed to traditional theory, culture industry, authoritarian personality, eclipse of reason, critique of instrumental reason |
Max Horkheimer (/ˈhɔːrkhaɪmər/; German: [ˈhɔɐ̯kˌhaɪmɐ]; 14 February 1895 – 7 July 1973) was a Jewish-German philosopher and sociologist who was famous for his work in critical theory as a member of the Frankfurt School of social research. Horkheimer addressed authoritarianism, militarism, economic disruption, environmental crisis, and the poverty of mass culture using the philosophy of history as a framework. This became the foundation of critical theory. His most important works include Eclipse of Reason (1947), Between Philosophy and Social Science (1930–1938) and, in collaboration with Theodor Adorno, Dialectic of Enlightenment (1947). Through the Frankfurt School, Horkheimer planned, supported and made other significant works possible.[1]