By Theodor W. Adorno
The essays accumulated the following supply an research of the irrational dimensions of contemporary tradition that is either well timed and anxious within the 1990s.Adorno’s principles are suitable to the certainty of phenomena as it seems that assorted as astrology and “New Age” cults, the ability of neo-fascist propaganda and the re-emergence of anti-Semitism, and the mental foundation of renowned culture.
The longest essay, “The Stars right down to Earth” bargains a content material research of the astrology column in a Nineteen Fifties la newspaper.Adorno argues that the column promotes mental dependency and social conformism in a lot an identical means as fascist propaganda. He continues that a similar ideas function within the mainstream items of “the tradition industry.” the 3 shorter papers light up diverse facets of Adorno’s argument: the relation of occultism to orthodox smooth notion, the pervasiveness of anti-Semitism, and the “psycho-technic” rhetoric of fascist propaganda.
Stephen Crook’s advent seriously studies Adorno’s argument and provides an evaluation of its modern relevance.
Taken jointly, those essays supply an astringent antidote to any facile optimism in regards to the democratic and pluralist personality of postmodern well known culture.Adorno identifies an irrationalist dynamic which implicates the main enlightened and emancipated parts of up to date tradition. His unsettling arguments call for the eye of somebody drawn to pop culture, serious idea, racism and authoritarian politics.
Reviews:
From Library Journal
These 4 essays, initially written among the overdue Nineteen Thirties and mid-1950s, research major cases of what Adorno calls "irrational" platforms of idea in modern tradition. He analyzes such phenomena as occultism, anti-Semitism, and the connection among anti-Semitism and fascist considering. His research illustrates universal components in the entire platforms tested. The lead article, "The Stars all the way down to Earth," is a content material research of the astrology column of the l. a. instances in the course of a trip Adorno made to the U.S. in 1953; it units the tone for the opposite essays. what's fairly transparent from Adorno's exam is the delicate and manipulative nature of such ideals. The resurgence of maximum non secular and political organisations, and the trouble with which convinced styles of concept appear to die, illustrates the level to which these principles have penetrated our tradition and the risks they nonetheless carry. Editor Crook's lead-ins to the essays are helpful. prompt for all collections of the background and sociology of up to date tradition and mass movements.
Terry Skeats, Bishop's Univ. Lib., Lennoxville, Quebec
Review
'There isn't any query of the modern value and relevance of those essays. T. W. Adorno is likely one of the nice critics of the position of irrational authoritarianism in modern society.' Douglas Kellner
'This assortment demonstrates the continued relevance of Adorno's paintings to the research and figuring out of recent instances. a super contribution to the sociology of racism, anti-Semitism and well known culture.' - Bryan S. Turner, co-editor, The Penguin Dictionary of Sociology
'Theodor Adorno returns from the grave to bring this well timed caution in regards to the hazards of superstition.' Review
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Additional info for Adorno: The Stars Down to Earth and Other Essays on the Irrational in Culture
Sample text
However, the total set-up here tends to limit the chances of projection utterly. Those who produce the material follow innumerable requirements, rules of thumb, set patterns and mechanisms of controls which by necessity reduce to a minimum the range of any kind of self-expression. Certainly the author’s motivations are but one source while the set patterns to which they have to stick seem far more important. While it would be very hard to trace back a production like the Los Angeles Times column to any single source in particular, it is integrated in such a way that the material speaks a kind of language of its own which can be read and understood even if we do not know much about the processes which led to the formulation of the language and infused it with meaning.
Cambridge: Polity Press, 1988, p. 182. 33 1 THE STARS DOWN TO EARTH: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ASTROLOGY COLUMN INTRODUCTION The group of studies to which the content analysis of the Los Angeles Times astrology column belongs, sets as its aim the investigation of the nature and motivations of some large-scale social phenomena involving irrational elements in a peculiar way—fused with what may be dubbed pseudo-rationality. Various mass movements spread all over the world in which people seem to act against their own rational interests of selfpreservation and the “pursuit of happiness” have been evident now for a considerable length of time.
However, his column does not indicate any particular tinge of Hollywood sensationalism or Southern California faddism. ” There are only isolated manifestations of obvious superstition or overt irrationalities. Irrationality is rather kept in the background, defining the basis of the whole approach: it is treated as a matter of course that the various prognoses and the corresponding advice are derived from the stars. Astrological niceties and astrological lingo except for the popular twelve signs of the zodiac are absent.