The Sociology of Theodor Adorno

Theodor Adorno is a widely-studied figure, but most often with regard to his work on cultural theory, philosophy and aesthetics. The Sociology of Theodor Adorno provides the first thorough English-language account of Adorno's sociological thinking. Matthias Benzer reads Adorno's sociology through six major themes: the problem of conceptualising capitalist society; empirical research; theoretical analysis; social critique; the sociological text; and the question of the non-social. Benzer explains the methodological and theoretical ideas informing Adorno's reflections on sociology and illustrates Adorno's approach to examining social life, including astrology, sexual taboos and racial prejudice. Benzer clarifies Adorno's sociology in relation to his work in other disciplines and the inspiration his sociology took from social thinkers such as Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Kracauer and Benjamin. The book raises critical questions about the viability of Adorno's sociological mode of procedure and its potential contributions and challenges to current debates in social science.

Author: Matthias Benzer
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 03/10/2011
Pages: 278
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 9.20h x 6.20w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781107000094

About the Author
Benzer, Matthias: - Matthias Benzer is Peacock Fellow at the Centre for Analysis of Risk and Regulation at the London School of Economics and Political Science.