Adorno’s Critical Theory Mass Culture And Contemporary Enlightenment

As the rising of mass culture since80s of last century, its critical theoryhas become one of the most critical theory on pondering and reflecting people’s own lifein today’s society. Mass culture is an international phenomenon which has developed fornearly100years in western countries, accompanied by mature market mechanism andthe development of industrial economy. Now in our living environment, our thinking,thoughts and even feelings are always affected by mass culture unconsciously.Therefore, recognizing and understanding mass culture is very important to us. Byinterpreting Adorno’s critical theory of mass culture, this paper analyses the forms,features and functions of mass culture as well as concludes his criticisms on capitalismand mass culture. Besides, on the basis of that, it also discusses the significance andenlightenment in today’s society. This article consists of four parts.The first part: Exordium. This part simply concludes Adorno’s life and work,aswell as expounds the research situation of his critical theory of mass culture in Chinaand western countries and introduces the purpose and significance of writing this paper.The second part: The background of Adorno’s critical theory of mass culture whichmainly tells the historical background of Adorno’s theory and his personal experiences,analyzing the shift in Adorno’s mind and the formation of the critical theory of massculture during the period in Germany impacted by Fascism and the time exiled in theUnited States.The third part: The content and functions of Adorno’s critical theory of massculture, analyzing the features of mass culture:commercialization,standardization andpseudo-individuation. This paper expounds Adorno’s sharp criticism on mass culture’scheating, educational, and assimilating functions. Meanwhile, this part provides atheoretical background and principle standpoint for its enlightenment in todays’s societyfor the next part.The fourth part: The enlightenment of Adorno’s critical theory of mass culture intoday’s society. On the basis of above introduction and analysis of the theory, this part gives objective evaluation on the theory and discusses its positive significance andlimitations for China and western countries in today’s society.