Urizen and Eros

[kenneth.mackendrick]

Michael writes:

The whole idea of such
> critique is step-bystep transcendence from within, rather than external
> trashing. Since the object of critique is ultimately a mediation of the real
> life processes of society at large, then "escape" is forever problematic.

I guess my not so well phrased point was arguing something similar - that external 
forms of criticism are theological - since they rely upon a notion of being "other" 
than what is.

> Adorno's work is particularly critical of humanism as an overly rosy
> interpretation of a non-too rosy state of affairs which reads genuine ideals
> into a status quo that, in practice, defrauds them. Such humanistic
> reinterpretation lends unintentional support to the very forces then keep
> humanism at bay - another good instance of immanent critique's transcendence
> from within - no?

I would say Adorno is critical of a "classical humanism" which has since fallen, 
rightfully, into disrepute.  However Adorno's theory does heavily rely upon the 
primacy of the object - via the subjective - which is at the same time an object.  
This strikes me as being particularly humanistic - see especially Adorno's 
comments on suffering in Negative Dialectics.

> Michael Salter, who is not quite sure what Ken's reply is replying to

Replying to the post Urizen and Eros and next to Michael Salter.

ken "ideologically tainted" mackendrick