A German philosopher, sociologist, and musician, he was one of the central figures of the Frankfurt School. Exiled during the Nazi era, he returned to Germany to criticize modern society, mass culture, and reason turned into an instrument of domination. He wrote on music, art, and ethics in a dense, provocative style, always suspicious of promises of progress.
Core ideas
The culture industry turns art into a commodity and leaves the public passive
Enlightenment reason, without self-criticism, can become a tool of domination
In an unjust society, it is impossible to live a fully right life
The tradition: Frankfurt School
The Frankfurt School brought together Marxist thinkers who criticized capitalist society, culture, and modern reason. Adorno was one of its founding figures, alongside Max Horkheimer.
