CALL FOR PAPERS
What is critique? What can Critical Theory do for society? Which forms
of critique may claim any relevance in late capitalism? How can a
critical public opinion manifest itself in the 21st century? How can we
distinguish critique from political ideologies and conspiracy theories?
(see Fridays for Future, Querdenker, etc.) What characterises critical
thinking? How can radical thought be rendered practically relevant?
The conference Theories and Concepts of Critical Theory takes place
between 26 and 28 June 2025 at the University of Graz, and it approaches
its main theme from various theoretical and practical perspectives.
Based at the Faculty of Humanities, this interdisciplinary conference
constitutes the second stage of the interdepartmental research project
Radical Thought in the Anthropocene. The conference follows on from a
first event that took place in 2023 and which was dedicated to different
disciplinary approaches to Critical Theory.
We will bring the concept and idea of critique into productive
constellations with a variety of concepts and categories pertaining to
social and cultural theory. In doing so, and by highlighting fundamental
societal and existential challenges of the 21st century, we will
reflect upon the possibilities and potentials of a productive critique
of society, especially concerning its implications for academic theory
and lived practice. In view of the great global, societal, ecological
and economic challenges, we will put to the test the social significance
and practical relevance of cultural and social theory in the 21st
century.
Keynotes
•
Rodrigo Duarte,
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
•
Lydia Goehr,
New York City, USA
•
Sven Kramer,
Lüneburg, Germany
•
Michael Thompson,
New York City, USA
Conference Board (University of Graz)
•
Stefan Baumgarten,
Department of Translation Studies
•
Stefan Brandt,
Department of American Studies
•
Juliane Jarke,
BANDAS Center & Department of Sociology
•
Susanne Kogler,
Department of Art and Musicology
•
Sonja Rinofner-Kreidl,
Department of Philosophy
Format
The conference is held in a workshop format. Incoming abstracts will be assigned to the following three corresponding themes:
Workshop I: Language, Translation, Society
This workshop compares and contrasts diverse forms and concepts of
critique and communication, examining their viability in view of current
societal challenges such as multiculturalism, multilingualism,
migration and modern communication technologies. Amongst other things,
we will address cultural readings and language-specific receptions of
the first generation of the Frankfurt School, especially concerning
their historicity, timeliness and their ‘afterlife’. We will also pay
special attention to ideology critique and to critical approaches on
technology. Further relevant categories include phenomena such as inter-
and transculturality, deconstruction and text, medialisation and
multimodality, globalisation and (digital) cultures as well as
gender-specific issues.
•
Workshop II: Materialism, Aesthetics, Politics
The question surrounding (artistic) ‘material’ concerns one of the key
themes associated with Theodor W. Adorno’s aesthetic theory. It is also
of central importance regarding the current reception of Critical
Theory. Such questions surrounding the status, nature and
conceptualisation of the material world not only challenge the Marxist
origins of Critical Theory but also its concrete political and practical
relevance. In this workshop, we will compare and contrast approaches in
Critical Philosophy and Critical Social Theory, as well as approaches
pertaining to (Historical) Materialism and (Neo-)Idealism. Of particular
interest here is the relationship between New Materialisms and Critical
Theory. Further relevant topics include (world) literature,
digitalization and mediatisation, art and freedom (from ideology),
(artistic) activism and politics.
•
Workshop III: Humans, Spirit, World Relation
This workshop deals with the relationship between science and critique.
Here, the role of the Humanities for critical thinking and the role of
lived practice with positive future implications will be debated from
self-reflexive and self-critical standpoints. Among other things, we
will discuss in what ways scientific and academic thought echoes
conceptualisations, theories and arguments from Critical Theory, and how
science might be able to adapt them for a better life, for a radical
“wild thinking” that may generate alternative realities, art worlds,
even anarchist constellations. Dichotomous thinking, post- and
transhumanist ontologies as well as Anthropology and History are further
possible themes. The relationship between critique, reason and
unreason, as well as between critique, indignation and resistance about
the state of (world) social affairs will also be up for discussion.
We look forward to receiving abstracts (max. 300 words) for 20-minute
presentations on the above-mentioned topics and themes by 20 February
2024 under radikalesdenken(at)uni-graz.at. We are particularly looking
forward to receiving contributions from doctoral candidates and
early-career researchers! The abstracts must be submitted in anonymised
form in English including a mini-biography (approx. 100 words).
The Conference Board will accept abstracts based on an anonymous
selection procedure. Acceptance letters will be sent out in spring 2024.
The conference will be streamed online. Selected contributions are
expected to be published in English by Palgrave Macmillan.
Contact Information
radikalesdenken@uni-graz.at
Contact Email
stefan.brandt@uni-graz.at
