The term ‘father of critical theory’ is often attributed to Theodor W. Adorno and Max Horkheimer, key figures of the Frankfurt School. In their work, they established a framework for analyzing society through a critical lens, addressing the ways in which culture, power, and capitalist systems interact.
Critical theory was developed as a response to the limitations of traditional social theory, emphasizing the need to consider the historical and societal context in the interpretation of social phenomena. Adorno and Horkheimer sought to uncover the underlying structures and ideologies that perpetuate social injustices, advocating for a more reflective and transformative approach to understanding society.
Through their influential texts, including the ‘Dialectic of Enlightenment,’ they critiqued the culture industry and discussed how mass media can manipulate public consciousness. Their work laid the foundation for later theorists and continues to inspire critical discourse in various fields such as sociology, philosophy, and cultural studies.