Analysis of Critcal Theorists in Sociology

QEUSTION: DISSCUSS THE VIEW THAT CRITICAL THEORISTS ARE NOISE MAKERS WHO STRADDLE ON MANY THEORIES IN A BID TO GAIN PROMINNENCE.

This essay is to discuss the view that critical theorists are noise makers who straddle on many theories in a bid to gain prominence. The essay will analyse the theories, comments and criticisms made by critical theorists and access if they offer solutions or just try to gain prominence. Various critical theorists which include Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse, Habermas and Lukacs among others will be discussed to expose whether they offer solutions or they are just after noise making and seeking prominence. Marxism and Feminism will also be identified as forms of critical theory and will be discussed as well. The essay will discuss the comments of the above mentioned theorists on Marxism, Positivism, Modernity, Culture, Technology and Globalization among other factors. The essay will then conclude by summing up all the discussed points thereby coming up with a stand point.

Critical theory can be said to have its roots from the Frankfurt School in Germany back in 1923. In other words, the fore fathers of critical theory were the ones who initiated the Frankfurt School in 1923. According to Ritzer (1992) can be defined as a theory which can provide the analytical and ethical foundation needed to uncover the structure of underlying social structures and practices as well as to review the possible decisions embodied in them. Critical theory can also be defined as a self conscious social critique aimed at change and emancipation through enlightenment. Thus from the above definition, critical theory is mainly into opposition of various theories so as to emancipate the society mainly through enlightenment. Hence in as much as critical theorists straddle on many theories, they in way try to offer solutions. In other words, critical theorists indeed straddle on many theories but to purely argue that they are noise makers who are in a bid to...