Modern rationalism combined critical method with quietism toward institutions

Evidence

Such limitation of thought is certainly not new. Ascending modern rationalism, in its speculative as well as empirical form, shows a striking contrast between extreme critical radicalism in scientific and philosophic method on the one hand, and an uncritical quietism in the attitude toward established and functioning social institutions. Thus Descartes’ ego cogitans was to leave the “great public bodies” untouched, and Hobbes held that “the present ought always to be preferred, maintained, and accounted best.” Kant agreed with Locke in justifying revolution if and when it has succeeded in organizing the whole and in preventing subversion. — Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, 139

Categorization

• XREF: The Descartes/Hobbes/Kant examples of ‘scientific radicalism, political quietism’ connect to the reader’s critical theory genealogy — this is where Marcuse roots the contradiction he diagnoses. — connects to: Classical social theory defined modernity by the application of scientific rationality over tradition — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism: A Marxist…, 151; Rationality in social theory attaches to systems and functions, not individual decisions — Niklas Luhmann, Trust and Power, 308; Kant’s critical idealism planted seeds for later ideology theory without historicizing knowledge (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Rationality in social theory attaches to systems and functions, not individual decisions #expands (0.78) — Niklas Luhmann, Trust and Power, 308
• Kant’s critical idealism planted seeds for later ideology theory without historicizing knowledge #qualifies (0.72)