On Horkheimer’s Critique Of Instrumental Rationality Theory

Horkheimer is a famous German philosopher. Enjoy an important position in thehistory of western philosophy of Marxism, his critical theory has an important influencefor the later theories, Horkheimer tool for rational critical thinking has a profoundhistorical background and theoretical origins. He continues to develop innovative on thebasis of previous theory and forms of a unique tool for rational critical theory.Horkheimer serious analysis of the Enlightenment spirit, to be critical in the processto reflect the spirit of the Enlightenment. Around the reflection of the relationship of manand nature, he combines with previous theoretical results in-depth analysis of theenlightenment.He thinks that rational include subjective reason and objective reason. Thesubjective reason is the use of human consciousness and with the aid of various tools anda rational knowledge, and objective reason is the critical reason. Objective rationalsubjective means rational tool replaces the critical rationality. Horkheimer ’s critique ofinstrumental rationality is not only the critical technical rational cultural content, but alsoseverely criticizes the defects in the development of industrial civilization, science andtechnology with the rational culture from the fusion of the former, thinks science andtechnology is to be equal to anything, is noble, technology development shows that thedevelopment of civilization, and civilization development science and technologyproblems can be solved the wide application of science and technology. He affirms theinstrumental rationality in its development has an important positive significance,promotes the improvement of science and technology and the progress of human society,and also points out that it has many disadvantageous factors, which leads to theinstrumental reason’s hegemony generation. The Horkheimer profound reflection andcritique of instrumental rationality, is directed at science and technology.The Horkheimer tool for rational critical thought in the history of philosophy, hasimportant historical significance. At the same time, there also exists some shortcomingsand mistakes, we should use the Marx doctrine on this theory are fair and reasonableevaluation, obtain beneficial enlightenment from which, in order to promote thedevelopment of science and technology in china.