Talk:Critical theory

Wiki Education assignment: Communication Theory

This article was the subject of a Wiki Education Foundation-supported course assignment, between 22 August 2023 and 7 December 2023. Further details are available on the course page. Student editor(s): KylieRumsey23 (article contribs).

— Assignment last updated by Kwv2014 (talk) 17:35, 13 November 2023 (UTC)

Disputed content

I ask Kbr023 to engage here rather than attempting to edit war their preferred content back into the article. In my edit summary when reverting, I said "Rm good-faith edit. This does not appear to be WP:DUE for inclusion (at least not at this length) or encyclopedic WP:TONE." Please take a look at those policy links if you haven't already and let's discuss here. Generalrelative (talk) 05:43, 4 December 2023 (UTC)

I also don't see the rationale for saying these particular things in this order on the place they were put on the page. Sennalen (talk) 13:38, 4 December 2023 (UTC)

Critical theory and immigration

One sentence citing two sources is not a coherent or substantial addition to the article. I think it should be expanded or removed. Pete unseth (talk) 00:17, 26 February 2024 (UTC)

Agree. Similarly there are some mentions of immigration in Critical race theory, but not as separate subsection. HudecEmil (talk) 15:46, 11 March 2024 (UTC)

Confused subject

The article is talking about two separate theories that just happen to use the same terminology. Frankfurt School's "Critical Theory" and the sociological "critical theories" informed by French philosophy are separate. They should be split into two articles, because right now the article feels schizophrenic talking about two topics at the same time. Harizotoh9 (talk) 07:05, 24 April 2024 (UTC)

is this article coherent?

>A critical theory is any approach to humanities and social philosophy that focuses on society and culture to attempt to reveal, critique, and challenge power structures. With roots in sociology and literary criticism, it argues that social problems stem more from social structures and cultural assumptions rather than from individuals.[citation needed] Some hold it to be an ideology, others argue that ideology is the principal obstacle to human liberation. Critical theory finds applications in various fields of study, including psychoanalysis, film theory, literary theory, cultural studies, history, communication theory, philosophy, and feminist theory.

How would a theory of social philosophy attempt to use literary criticism to reveal power structures? It reads like word salad.

>Some hold it to be an ideology, others argue that ideology is the principal obstacle to human liberation.

So are they disagreeing? I don't get it. Snailfacts (talk) 17:30, 24 April 2024 (UTC)

Foucault and Derrida had social philosophies, which have had a huge impact on the humanities and especially liteature departments in universities. See: Power-knowledge and Deconstruction#Literary_criticism. Harizotoh9 (talk) 23:57, 24 April 2024 (UTC)

That would be the influence going the other way, right? Anyhow, this intro paragraph is very unclear. Snailfacts (talk) 02:49, 25 April 2024 (UTC)

Fairly neutral for the most part.

The article on critical theory provides a comprehensive overview of its foundations, historical evolution, and various applications across disciplines. The lead section effectively introduces the topic by clearly defining critical theory as an approach in humanities and social philosophy that critiques societal power structures. Additionally, it outlines the major sections of the article, including historical context, key figures such as Max Horkheimer and Jürgen Habermas, and the influence of critical theory on contemporary thought. The discussion on the origins and core concepts of critical theory is informative, particularly in its exploration of how critical theory diverges from traditional social theories by emphasizing social structures over individual actions.

In terms of tone and balance, the article maintains a neutral perspective throughout, presenting various viewpoints without advocating for a particular ideology. It carefully navigates complex concepts and includes references to both historical and contemporary scholars, allowing readers to grasp the nuanced debates within critical theory. However, there are areas where the article could enhance its accessibility. For instance, while it introduces significant terms like "normative dimension" and "immanent critique," it may benefit from clearer definitions or examples to aid readers unfamiliar with academic jargon. Additionally, a more explicit exploration of the implications of critical theory in today’s socio-political climate would provide context and relevance for contemporary audiences.

Overall, the article is a valuable resource for understanding critical theory, its historical roots, and its multifaceted applications. Its strengths lie in its thorough research, clear structure, and balanced presentation of viewpoints. To improve, the article could simplify some of its terminology and expand on the practical implications of critical theory in current societal contexts, making it more approachable for a broader audience. Kalebryanrowland (talk) 22:29, 4 October 2024 (UTC)