The network Radical Thinking in the Anthropocene operates in the (still) mostly unoccupied space along interdisciplinary academic exchange and transdisciplinary social engagement.
The centers of critical theory in Germany are located around the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research. Our initiative forms a further university focus in the German-speaking world. We bundle and focus the currently rather sparse and fragmented interdisciplinary debate on critical theory and give it international visibility through a continuous variety of events. In particular, we strive for an intensive exchange with the 'critical' public.
We build on an academic tradition in Graz. As early as the 1960s, there were highly regarded academic contacts with the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research, namely between the internationally renowned Graz cultural publicist Harald Kaufmann and Theodor W. Adorno, who gave lectures and took part in discussions in Graz. On this basis, an interdisciplinary networked research community is to be created in the long term, which is dedicated to scientific, but in particular also socially relevant issues.
Thematic focus
More than almost any other philosophical movement of the 20th century, the Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School has shaped the philosophy of the post-war period and is still highly topical today, especially in view of the multiple social, ecological and economic crises. We would like to establish an international as well as interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research focus on Critical Theory at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Graz.
Interdisciplinarity
An essential characteristic of critical theory is interdisciplinarity. Academic debates can be found in almost all humanities and social science disciplines. This interdisciplinarity is both a reception problem and a methodological-scientific challenge, as it is almost impossible to gain a detailed overview of the reception history and current tendencies of critical theory from the perspective of a single discipline. The Grazer project aims to take up this challenge, which also requires the development of innovative interdisciplinary academic working methods and a high degree of self-reflection.
Transdisciplinarity
The close relationship between scientific theory and social practice is another central theme of our network. In view of the global ecological, technological, economic and social challenges that affect us all, the aim is to develop sustainable solutions for the future by combining Critical Theory and innovative practice in a way that is effective for the public and transcends disciplines and generations. In this context, we are developing collaborations and projects with public institutions, artists, and interested citizens.