Critical Theory of Society

The course presents the tradition of social critical thought, especially Marxism of the late XIXth and early XXth century (Lukacs), Critical Theory of Society (Horkheimer, Adorno), and structural Marxism (althusser), together with various attempts of its actualisation in the XXIst century (e.g. Postone, Honneth). Simultaneously, it tries to offer groundwork for contemporary praxis of critical thought that would go beyond mere critique of cultural formations and would include analysis of concrete economic relations, their presuppositions and modes that determine contemporary forms of subjectivation.
Since the specific content of the course varies each year, its nature is determined primarily by the objective to present the actual state of philosophical investigations in the field, and to prepare for the philosophy as a social praxis, actively engaged in self-understanding and in changing of the society. The relevant topics, to be specified for each semester, include: topics in traditional and critical theory of society, reification, fetishism, ideology, subjectivation, critique of political economy, rationality, capitalism, neo-liberalsim, post-fordism etc.
The topic of the course is to be specifically announced for each semester; if the topic changes, the student can choose the course repeatedly.