Description
Book SynopsisTheodor W. Adorno was a German sociologist, philosopher and musicologist known for his critical theory of society. In the Hotel Abyss is a critical analysis of a selection of Adorno's work framed by four essential concerns: Adorno's method of analysis; the absence of a theory of social change; the relationship of his approach to the dialectics of Hegel and Marx; and Adorno's use of his approach with respect to jazz, popular music, radio and pro-fascist propaganda of the 1930s and '40s as an instrument to disparage the working class.
Trade ReviewThe agenda of Lanning in this work is to provide the conceptual evidence to substantiate Lukács’ implied accusation that exile in the US involved the abandonment on Adorno’s part of any authentic connection to the Marxist project of proletarian emancipation ... An invigorating and provocative read.” Sean Ledwith, Marx and Philosophy Review of Books
“The agenda of Lanning in this work is to provide the conceptual evidence to substantiate Lukács’ implied accusation that exile in the US involved the abandonment on Adorno’s part of any authentic connection to the Marxist project of proletarian emancipation ... An invigorating and provocative read.” —Sean Ledwith, Marx and Philosophy Review of Books
Table of Contents1. Introduction Background and Context The Orientation of the Present Study Adorno’s Form of Presentation Theory and Practice The Management of Politics and Personal Relations The Socio-Historical Context 2. Hegel, Marx, Dialectics The Individual Being and Self-consciousness Becoming Contradiction Hegel’s Positivity, Critical Theory’s Positivism A Note on Dialectical Logic Mediation 3. Aspects of Adorno’s Method: Constellations and Images Adorno’s Bilderverbot and the Negation of Messianism 4. Jazz, Radio and the Masses The Masses and the Culture Industries The Jazz Essays Marx, Music and Relative Autonomy Black Influence and Historical Materialist Analysis Radio 5. The masses and pro-fascist propaganda Irrationalism as the Basis of Analysis Lowenthal’s Anti-Fascist Writings Adorno’s Study of Martin Luther Thomas The Approach of Others to Antifascism Indeed, Efforts to Eliminate Discrimination are Necessarily Long-Term 6. Mediation 7. Negative Dialectic, Identity and Exchange Negative Thought The Positive Moment in Dialectics Identity and Identity Thinking Concept and Identity Exchange 8. Conclusion References Index
