ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 discusses foundations of critical theory today. It outlines three ways of defining critical theory: (1) a broad, (2) a narrow concept of critical theory and (3) critical theory as analysis and questioning of domination, inequality, societal problems, exploitation to advance social struggles and the liberation from domination, so that a dominationless, co-operative, participatory society can emerge. Epistemological, ontological and axiological qualities of critical theory are distinguished. Positivistic, postmodern and Marxist forms of critique are introduced. Marxian critique is understood as immanent transcendence. The author argues that in the debate on recognition and redistribution, both Axel Honneth and Nancy Fraser fail to adequately theorize the relationship of base and superstructure and that a dialectical view of base and superstructure that stresses the importance of class relationships is needed. Ideological forms of dialectical thinking are criticized and opposed by the notion of subject–object dialectic.
