Horkheimer's Critique of Instrumental Reason
- Nellington
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Horkheimer's Critique of Instrumental Reason
Firstly, do you think that in today's world of systemic application to recognized modes of interaction and involvement in the minutiae of each others images of life via social media, that over complicated means justify the ends that are yielded as a result of them in comparison to other epochs in history; and, secondly, is it possible that, in the advent of suffrage for all those who were not propertied in the traditional sense, ideology was the metaphorical carrot to the stick of legislation that increased voter efficacy in developed nations?
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Re: Horkheimer's Critique of Instrumental Reason
Boy oh boy - could you possible phrase this more complexly? Don't answer that question - I am sure you can. Please try and put it in simple terms and I will engage with you - OK?Nellington wrote:
Firstly, do you think that in today's world of systemic application to recognized modes of interaction and involvement in the minutiae of each others images of life via social media, that over complicated means justify the ends that are yielded as a result of them in comparison to other epochs in history; and, secondly, is it possible that, in the advent of suffrage for all those who were not propertied in the traditional sense, ideology was the metaphorical carrot to the stick of legislation that increased voter efficacy in developed nations?
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Re: Horkheimer's Critique of Instrumental Reason
What comes to mind as with Nazism, the Regressives from the Left and evil Muslims [SOME] has had been able to make the evil agenda of Islam appear "reasonable."Horkheimer's book, Eclipse of Reason, published in 1947, is broken into five sections: Means and Ends, Conflicting Panaceas, The Revolt of Nature, The Rise and Decline of the Individual, and On the Concept of Philosophy.[2]
The 'Eclipse of Reason focuses on the concept of reason within the history of western philosophy, which can only be fostered in an environment of free, critical thinking while also linking positivist and instrumental reason with the rise of fascism.[19]
He distinguishes between objective, subjective and instrumental reason, and states that we have moved from the former through the center and into the latter (though subjective and instrumental reason are closely connected).
Objective reason deals with universal truths that dictate that an action is either right or wrong. It is a concrete concept and a force in the world that requires specific modes of behavior. The focus in the objective faculty of reason is on the ends, rather than the means.
Subjective reason is an abstract concept of reason, and focuses primarily on means. Specifically, the reasonable nature of the purpose of action is irrelevant - the ends only serve the purpose of the subject (generally self-advancement or preservation). To be "reasonable" in this context is to be suited to a particular purpose, to be "good for something else". This aspect of reason is universally conforming, and easily furnishes ideology.
In instrumental reason, the sole criterion of reason is its operational value or purposefulness, and with this, the idea of truth becomes contingent on mere subjective preference (hence the relation with subjective reason). Because subjective/instrumental reason rules, the ideals of a society,
for example democratic ideals, become dependent on the "interests" of the people instead of being dependent on objective truths.
In his writing Horkheimer states, "Social power is today more than ever mediated by power over things. The more intense an individual's concern with power over things, the more will things dominate him, the more will he lack any genuine individual traits, and the more will his mind be transformer into an automation of formalized reason."[20]
Nevertheless, Horkheimer admits that objective reason has its roots in Reason ("Logos" in Greek) of the subject. He concludes, "If by enlightenment and intellectual progress we mean the freeing of man from superstitious belief in evil forces, in demons and fairies, in blind fate - in short, the emancipation from fear - then denunciation of what is currently called reason is the greatest service we can render."[21][22]
In 1941, Horkheimer outlined how the Nazis had been able to make their agenda appear "reasonable", but also issued a warning about the possibility of a similar occurrence happening again. Horkheimer believed that the illnesses of modern society are caused by misunderstanding reason: if people use true reason to critique their societies, they will be able to solve problems they may have.
What we need to fall back is, yes 'objective reason' and not Pure or Primal reason, thus a Critique of Pure Reason [or Instrumental] is needed.
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Re: Horkheimer's Critique of Instrumental Reason
I don't know much about this guy and your OP is written in a very obtuse manner (I can see you've actually studied philosophy! haha!!)
I would also appreciate it if you outlined your thoughts in a simpler form of language
Spectrum -
The Nazi's were on the right. A stronger left would have halted the march of Nationalism before it got started. I guess politics will always wax and wane. That said it seems more than a little contrary to say the actions of the right are the fault of the left. The fault is within political apathy and those encouraging hate and violence toward minority groups.
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