a question of the history of ideas

diane celia hodges (dchodges who-is-at interchg.ubc.ca)
Sun, 31 May 1998 16:54:38 -0700

hiya folks -

I'm currently writing through a very messy theoretical "thing" - I've
mentioned this
before, the Frankfurt School, critical theory, particularly
Horkehimer & Adorno's work, 1930s; and then the shift during the 1940s and the
publication of the _Dialectics of Enlightenment_.

If any one out there has familiarity with this history, I'd be much
obliged for a chance to converse -

For example, how does one differentiate between a history of ideas,

and a history of ideologies? If critical theory springs from an
institutional context, as most theory do, then it is feasible to argue that
theory is an artefact of the
"Ideological State Apparatus" (Althusser)?

If critical theory is specifically related
to an ideological alignment which praises the bougeoisie as
the mobilizers of Enlightenment,

then isn't this an ideological practice which
"dominates" the uneducated/underprivileged/working-poor?

doesn't "theory" as it is organized within the university constitute
ideology?

diane, reminding myself there are no stupid questions there are no stupid
questions...

"Every tool is a weapon if you hold it right." Ani Difranco
*********************************************
diane celia hodges
faculty of education, centre for the study of curriculum and
instruction,
university of british columbia
vancouver, bc canada

snailmail: 3519 Hull Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V5N 4R8