Critical theory is a social and political philosophy that emerged in the early 20th century in response to the perceived failings of traditional Western philosophy and social science. It is a way of thinking about society that focuses on understanding and challenging the ways in which power and inequality shape our lives. Critical theorists argue that traditional approaches to understanding society, culture, and politics often overlook the power dynamics and injustices that shape human experience.
The term
The term “critical theory” can refer to the philosophy of the original Marxist “Frankfurt School” which coined the term, as well as the contemporary approach which inspired and later merged with postmodernism.
This site uses the term to refer to a particular current manifestation of moralised critical theory – what Cynical Theories calls “applied postmodernism”, or “wokeism”. This manifestation may differ from the critical theory you are familiar with, or wish to argue for. In that case, you may find the objections helpful.
Critical Theory vs Traditional Theory
“… a critical theory … must explain what is wrong with current social reality, identify the actors to change it, and provide both clear norms for criticism and achievable practical goals for social transformation. “
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Traditional theories aim to describe and predict reality, e.g. the theory of gravity. In contrast, a critical theory aims to problematise reality, or find problems within it, then argue for change accordingly. Critical theory was originally developed to sit alongside and compliment traditional theories (such as those found in the natural sciences), but nowadays it is frequently elevated above them, even to their exclusion.
Critical Theory and Objectivity
“[Critical theory] scholars argue that a key element of social injustice involves the claim that particular knowledge is objective, neutral, and universal. An approach based on critical theory calls into question the idea that objectivity is desirable or even possible.”
“Critical Theory developed in part as a response to this presumed superiority and infallibility of the scientific method, and raised questions about whose rationality and whose presumed objectivity underlies scientific methods”
Is Everyone Really Equal? An Introduction to Key Concepts in Social Justice Education
One of the central tenets of critical theory is the rejection of the idea of objective truth. Critical theorists argue that all knowledge is inherently subjective and influenced by power relations. They believe that what we consider to be “objective” is often just the perspective of those in power. By rejecting the idea of objective truth, critical theorists seek to uncover the hidden power dynamics and injustices that shape society. They argue that only by acknowledging and understanding these power relations can we begin to work towards a more just and equitable world.
For example, critical theorists might argue that mainstream media outlets present news from a biased perspective that reflects the interests of the owners of those media outlets, who are often wealthy and politically connected. Similarly, they might argue that scientific research is often influenced by the values and assumptions of the researchers themselves, and that this can lead to biased or incomplete results. So far, so good. These uses illustrate a place critical theory has in developing new perspectives, and assisting with truly critical thought.
However, critical theory’s moral rejection of objectivity can undermine its credibility, and make it difficult to engage in productive discourse. Critical theory elevates subjective experience as primary above objective truth (as expressed by the idiom: feels over reals). And without a shared sense of objective truth, it is difficult or impossible to have meaningful discussions, assess claims, or make progress towards common goals:
“The focus on identity, experiences, and activism, rather than an attempt to find truth, leads to conflict with empirical scholars and undermines public confidence in the worth of scholarship that uses this approach.”
New Discourses
Critical theory is concerned more with the moral assessment of outcomes produced by a theory, than by whether the theory describes reality, for example:
“Rejecting the notion that knowledge is purely empirical and cumulative, Gergen has argued that “truth” is always value laden and, therefore (drawing from critical theory), “reality” is not immutable, but always is understood via interpretation. More attention, then, should be given to the outcomes implied by any given assertion of reality, rather than to its “accuracy” as measured by its supposed correspondence to absolute truth”
Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion
Problematizing
“Because critical theories nearly always begin with their conclusion … and then seeks to find ways to read them into various aspects of society (see discourse analysis and close reading), the body of scholarship that has been growing for the last fifty years has become a towering and impressive mountain with very insecure foundations.”
New Discourses
Contemporary critical theories assume that problems of power particular to their field are the foundational causes of the outcomes they turn their attention to, and seek out evidence of those problems in whatever they examine. Frequently, this means their definitions of terms like “racism”, “oppression”, “violence”, etc. are looser and more expansive than the average person’s working definition.
For example, critical race theory conceives of racism not merely as prejudicial beliefs and behaviour, but as “a structural presence which has become ingrained into the very fabric of society itself”. Whereas the average person might understand racism to mean “the belief in the superiority of one race over another”, the critical theory definition is far more nebulous, and doesn’t even require individual prejudice to exist. Similarly, critical gender theory observes all social interactions through the lens of gender-based power imbalance. Further examples can be found; wherever there is a “critical” version of a field, we will find assumptions of the field’s presumed power inequalities as primary explanations. This starting worldview of critical theory assumes its conclusions, rather than tests for them.
Summary
Critical theory is a way of thinking about society that tries to understand how power and inequality work, with an aim to make society more fair and equal. It views reality through a lens of power struggle, and unlike traditional theory, seeks to problematise rather than describe reality.
Importantly, contemporary critical theory is skeptical of objective truth to the point that it rejects and denigrates attempts to scrutinise or test its assumptions against reality.
For further reference, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy‘s comprehensive overview is recommended.
New Discourses is recommended for a history and commentary on the current state of critical theories.
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