The Sociology of Theodor Adorno

Abstract

Theodor Adorno is a widely studied figure, but most often with regard to his work on cultural theory, philosophy and aesthetics. The Sociology of Theodor Adorno provides the first thorough English language account of Adorno’s sociological thinking. Matthias Benzer reads Adorno’s sociol ogy through six major themes: the problem of conceptualising capitalist society; empirical research; theoretical analysis; social critique; the socio logical text; and the question of the non social. Benzer explains the methodological and theoretical ideas informing Adorno’s reflections on sociology and illustrates Adorno’s approach to examining social life, including astrology, sexual taboos and racial prejudice. Benzer clarifies Adorno’s sociology in relation to his work in other disciplines and the inspiration his sociology took from social thinkers such as Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Kracauer and Benjamin. The book raises critical questions about the viability of Adorno’s sociological mode of procedure and its potential contributions and challenges to current debates in social