resignation: adorno & praxis

[david wachtfogel]

rojan writes
> this brings up a question that has been bothering me for a while and
> that I throw open to anyone who deighns to respond
> to what degree were post-WWII A and H 'engaged'

the following is an verbatim excerpt from Adorno's 'Resignation' from
Telos 35 (spring 1978) pp 165-168:

We older represanitives of that for which the name Frankfurt School has
established itself have recently had the reproach of resignation levelled
against us. We had, it is stated, developed elements of a critical
theoryt of society, but we were not prepared to draw the pratical
consequences from this theory. The objection raised against us be states
approximately in these words: a person who in the present hour doubts the
possibility of radical change in society and who for that reason neither
takes part in nor recommends spetacular, violent action is guilty of
resignation. Thinking activists [claim]: among the things to be changed is
that very seperation of theory and praxis. The trouble with this view is
that it results in the prohobition of thinking. The often-evoked unity of
theory and praxis has a tendecy to give way to the predominance of
praxis. Today ... one clings to action because of the impossibility of
action.
Repressive intolerance toward a thought not immediately accompanied by
instructions for action is founded in fear. Thought, enlightment
conscious of itself, threatens to disenchant pseudo-reality within which
activism moves. This activism is tolerated only because it is viewed as
pseudo-activity. Only thinking coukd offer an escape. It is the
responsibilty of thought not to accept the situation as finite. If there
is any chance of changing the situation, it is only through undiminished
insight.
At the present point no higher form of society is concretely visible: for
that reason, anything that seems in reach is regressive. The Utopian
impulse in thinking is all the stronger, the less it objectifies itself
as Utopia whereby it sabatoges its own realization.

I believe that answers your query.
                        -- david wachtfogel