Traditional Versus Critical Theory

New Discourses Bullets, Ep. 178 Critical Theory originates in the formal sense from a 1937 essay penned by Frankfurt School director Max Horkheimer, bearing the title "Traditional and Critical Theory." In that essay, Horkheimer compares what he calls "traditional theory" against his neo-Marxist conception that he names "critical theory," thus organizing the approach behind the entire school of thought that is sometimes called Critical Marxism. In this episode of New Discourses Bullets, host James Lindsay breaks down the point of this essay and the nature of Horkheimer's comparison between these two ways of thinking. Join him for deeper clarity on this important topic. Join us for the Preserving Liberty Conference at Sea!: https://ndcruise.com Support New Discourses: https://newdiscourses.com/support Follow New Discourses on other platforms: https://newdiscourses.com/subscribe Follow James Lindsay: https://linktr.ee/conceptualjames © 2026 New Discourses. All rights reserved. #NewDiscourses #JamesLindsay #criticaltheory