Criticism and Cultural Politics. Social Function of Philosophy in the Concepts of Max Horkheimer and Richard Rorty

Abstract

In this paper, using elements of the comparative analysis, it is argued that Horkheimer and Rorty convergently understand philosophy as a discipline that meets the social functions. In support of this thesis the problem of significance vs. contingency of the relation between philosophy and social affairs is examined, then their individual interpretation of the social function of philosophy is presented. The attention is drawn to the epistemological problem of the objectivity. It is significantly affecting the proposed interpretations of philosophy social function. The analysis leads to the conclusion that Horkheimer proposes to treat philosophy as a social horizon, and Rorty recognizes the social issues as a horizon of philosophical problems. However, following the concept of Rorty, we would have to break with the whole tradition of Western philosophy. In this perspective, Horkheimer’s position seems more reasonable only because of its economy.