Pluralism and absolutism in the critique

reflexive dialectics and democratic politics from horkheimer and adorno

Abstract

Currently, the critical theory is refuted for its pretensions to have a normative foundation. Because that generate it an impossibility to accept the pluralism, ground for the democratic order. Taking that as starting point, this paper seeks to sustain that in Horkheimer and Adorno work there are elements for the elaboration of a “post-normative” critical theory. This in close connection with – what Habermas calls – the “post-metaphysical” character of their thought, namely, their rejection to any try to found the knowledge’s building in an unconditioned instance. In base of that, this paper propose a dialectical approach of pluralism, through the relationship between difference and likeness. In this way, it is thematized that social configuration that would make possible being different without fear. At the same time, they are characterized two logics that contain the cancellation of that social configuration, of its dialectical acceptance of pluralism: the instauration of an absolute, on one hand, and the apathetic coldness, on the other hand. All of this with the main objective of interrogates the mode in which we produce critical knowledge, at the same time that it looks forward to make of it a instance that contributes to the democratization of the established society.