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Critical theory

About: Critical theory is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5372 publications have been published within this topic receiving 164765 citations.


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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper introduces the historical context of three well-referenced research philosophies and explains the common principles and values of each, enabling nurse researchers to make informed and rational decisions when embarking on research.
Abstract: Background There are three commonly known philosophical research paradigms used to guide research methods and analysis: positivism, interpretivism and critical theory. Being able to justify the decision to adopt or reject a philosophy should be part of the basis of research. It is therefore important to understand these paradigms, their origins and principles, and to decide which is appropriate for a study and inform its design, methodology and analysis. Aim To help those new to research philosophy by explaining positivism, interpretivism and critical theory. Discussion Positivism resulted from foundationalism and empiricism; positivists value objectivity and proving or disproving hypotheses. Interpretivism is in direct opposition to positivism; it originated from principles developed by Kant and values subjectivity. Critical theory originated in the Frankfurt School and considers the wider oppressive nature of politics or societal influences, and often includes feminist research. Conclusion This paper introduces the historical context of three well-referenced research philosophies and explains the common principles and values of each. Implications for practice The paper enables nurse researchers to make informed and rational decisions when embarking on research.

99 citations

Book
24 Sep 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a survey of the foundation of classical sociological theory and its development in the 20th and 21st centuries, focusing on the following: 1. Introduction Part I FOUNDATIONS of CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY 2. Karl Marx 3. Emile Durkheim 4. Max Weber 5. Charlotte Perkins Gilman 6. Georg Simmel 7. E. B. Du Bois 8. George Herbert Mead 9. Merton 10. Critical Theory Max Horkheimer 11.
Abstract: 1. Introduction PART I FOUNDATIONS OF CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY 2. Karl Marx 3. Emile Durkheim 4. Max Weber PART II CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY: EXPANDING THE FOUNDATION 5. Charlotte Perkins Gilman 6. Georg Simmel 7. W. E. B. Du Bois 8. George Herbert Mead PART III TWENTIETH-CENTURY SOCIOLOGICAL TRADITIONS 9. Structural Functionalism Talcott Parsons Robert K. Merton 10. Critical Theory Max Horkheimer Theodor Adorno Herbert Marcuse 11. Exchange and Rational Choice Theories George Homans Peter Blau Peter Blau James Coleman 12. Symbolic Interactionism and Dramaturgy Erving Goffman Arlie Russell Hochschild 13. Phenomenology Alfred Schutz Peter Berger Thomas Luckmann PART IV BROADENING SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY 14. Feminist and Gender Theories Dorothy Smith Patricia Hill Collins R.W. Connell Judith Butler 15. Poststructural and Postmodern Theories Michel Foucault Jean Baudrillard 16. Contemporary Theoretical Syntheses Pierre Bourdieu Jurgen Habermas Anthony Giddens 17. The Global Society Immanuel Wallerstein George Ritzer Edward Said Glossary and Terminology References Image Source Information Index

99 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Boaventura de Sousa Santos is Professor of Sociology, School of Economics, University of Coimbra and Distinguished Legal Scholar, Law School, UW-Madison as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Boaventura de Sousa Santos is Professor of Sociology, School of Economics, University of Coimbra and Distinguished Legal Scholar, Law School, University of Wisconsin‐Madison. He is also director of...

99 citations

BookDOI
21 May 2008
TL;DR: In this article, the authors bring together both major and emerging media analysts to consider media change and so deepen these resources, including critical realism, poststructuralist perspectives, Bourdieu and field theory, and third generation critical theory.
Abstract: Media studies needs more critical intellectual resources. This book brings together both major and emerging media analysts to consider media change and so deepen these resources. Case studies range from reality television to professional journalism, from blogging to control of copyright, from social networking to indigenous media in Europe, North America, Asia and elsewhere. Among the theoretical approaches and issues addressed are: - critical realism - poststructuralist perspectives - Bourdieu and field theory - Marxism and post-Marxism - Habermas and third generation critical theory - actor network theory - theories of democracy, antagonism and difference

98 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: In the introductory essay to the volume Theory and Practice (Boston, 1973), Habermas describes his intellectual project as an attempt to "develop the idea of a theory of society conceived with practical intention." He proceeds in this brief survey of his work to delineate the differences between technical questions which admit primarily of instrumental calculation, and practical questions, which are posed with a view to the acceptance or rejection of norms, especially norms for action as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In the introductory essay to the volume Theory and Practice (Boston, 1973), Habermas describes his intellectual project as an attempt to "develop the idea of a theory of society conceived with practical intention." He proceeds in this brief survey of his work to delineate the differences between technical questions, which admit primarily of instrumental calculation, and practical questions, which "are posed with a view to the acceptance or rejection of norms, especially norms for action, the claims to validity of which we can support or oppose with reasons" (pp. 1, 3). The following article is an excellent example of the sort of practical political discourse which Habermas has helped to stimulate in the realm of theory. The concerns and methods of critical theory are apparent in the attempt to justify civil disobedience by an analysis of the philosophical underpinnings of the modern state. Because that institution is a human creation par excellence, the historical nature of its norms must not be forgotten. By making the moral foundations of constitutionalism accessible, Habermas seeks to give practical substance to the debates over the nature of law in contemporary West Germany.

98 citations


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Performance
Metrics
No. of papers in the topic in previous years
YearPapers
2023215
2022403
2021153
2020189
2019206
2018227