In social theory, recognition of facts is critique of facts

Evidence

Such an operational concept is not altogether inadequate to the subject matter of the investigation. It points up clearly enough the qualities which, in the contemporary period, distinguish democratic and non-democratic systems (for example, effective competition between candidates representing different parties; freedom of the electorate to choose between these candidates), but this adequacy does not suffice if the task of theoretical analysis is more and other than a descriptive one—if the task is to comprehend, to recognize the facts for what they are, what they “mean” for those who have been given them as facts and who have to live with them. In social theory, recognition of facts is critique of facts. — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 459

Categorization

• DEFINE: Marcuse’s central definition of what social-theoretical analysis is for, in one aphoristic line.
• DEEPTHINKING: The one-liner ‘recognition of facts is critique of facts’ compresses a whole epistemology — it demands the reader re-derive why description and evaluation can’t be cleanly separated in social science.
• XREF: Resonates with the reader’s Frankfurt School emphasis on how theory’s task differs from description; ties to the flatting-of-critical-thought thesis. — connects to: Losing the fact-potential distinction makes thought submit to existing society — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man: Studies in the…, 40; Critique reduces to critiquing the social process itself — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 1107; Counterhistory functions to disinter truths that power has deliberately concealed — Michel Foucault, Society Must Be Defended, 89 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Losing the fact-potential distinction makes thought submit to existing society #expands (0.82) — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 40
• Comprehending the interrelation of experienced facts shatters false realism #expands (0.75) — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 801
• Counterhistory functions to disinter truths that power has deliberately concealed #epitomizes (0.72) — Michel Foucault, Society Must Be Defended, 89
• Critique reduces to critiquing the social process itself #responds-to (0.70) — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 1107