Critical Theory: A Very Short Introduction

Critical Theory: A Very Short Introduction by Stephen Eric Bronner

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


*** Possible Spoilers ***

I didn't expect to like this book but I thought it might provide insight into a certain way of seeing the world. It didn't. A better title for the book would be 'A History of the Philosophical Thought and Individuals Directed Towards the Formulation of Critical Theory'. At no time did the author discuss the theory itself. Instead we are treated to a long history of philosophical musings combined with some good old-fashioned academic bun fights.

One reviewer complained the book reads like at article aimed at an academic journal and this is correct. I don't mind an author sending me scurrying to the dictionary now and then but this work was particularly dense both in its vocabulary and structure. It seems the author was using academic jargon to disguise his lack of knowledge of what critical theory actually is. Another possibility is the critical-theory emperor isn't wearing so much as a sock and the author is attempting to disguise the fact. Whatever the case, the book lacks clarity.

If you wish to learn about critical theory, this isn't the book to choose.



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