Irrationalism correctly diagnoses rationalism’s crisis but serves power’s interests.

Evidence

Irrationalism correctly recognizes that rationalism is bankrupt, but it draws the wrong conclusions. It does not criticize one-sided thinking and egoism in favour of a way of organizing the world which would correspond to the human resources actually available. Instead, it leaves the economic laws which have produced current conditions basically untouched, and serves the interests of those who have economic power, who are merely the executors of economic forces, by encouraging blind recognition of them, demanding submission to the so-called larger, general interest. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 548

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines the Frankfurt School’s critique of irrationalism: it diagnoses rationalism’s failure correctly but mis-channels the response toward submission to economic power.
• XREF: connects to: For Horkheimer, irrationalism serves economic power by masking it as larger interest; A rearticulated rationality functions as ammunition within power’s mechanics; Technical rationality makes irrational social control appear reasonable and rational — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man: Studies in the…, 124 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• A rearticulated rationality functions as ammunition within power’s mechanics #qualifies (0.78)
• Technical rationality makes irrational social control appear reasonable and rational #expands (0.75) — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 124
• Horkheimer mapped rationalism and irrationalism onto distinct class-historical conditions #expands (0.75) — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 547
• Modern rationalism combined critical method with quietism toward institutions #qualifies (0.72) — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 139
• Speculation’s tension between rationality and irrationality now defines Western political fault lines #qualifies (0.72) — Aris Komporozos-Athanasiou, Speculative Communities, 100