Is Morality Possible for Theodor Adorno Cover Image

Da li je moralnost moguća za Teodora Adorna
Is Morality Possible for Theodor Adorno

Author(s): Marko Simendić
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Fakultet političkih nauka Univerziteta u Beogradu
Keywords: Theodor Adorno; ethics; negative moral; negative dialectics

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the possibility of morality in Theodor Adorno's ethics in two aspects. Firstly, it deals with his claim about the impossibility of leading a right life within the radically evil social world. The second issue that is addressed is the viability of Adornian normative ethics. It is concluded that, although the state of affairs of contemporary society does not allow truly moral agency, there is still a way of distinguishing between the right and wrong moral choices. This is examined by comparing the examples Adorno gives in his lectures - the moral decisions of Gregers Werle (one of Henrik Ibsen's protagonist) and the anonymous officer who was among the conspirators of the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolph Hitler. Furthermore, it is argued that Adorno offers a thin normative, deontological and particularistic account of morality that puts the emphasis on the dialectical and critical approach to examining the moral facts and making a moral decision.

  • Issue Year: 2011
  • Issue No: 05
  • Page Range: 187-199
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Serbian