Abstract:

Critical Theory, which emerges as a reaction to the Interpretative and Positivist paradigms, expresses that knowledge, reality and the individual are surrounded and shaped by the existing social, political, economic, cultural institutions, practices, values and beliefs, and in this context, it is not the visible dimension of the material world; on the contrary, it is defined as a critical approach that tries to explain and question the events and facts behind the visible. According to the critical theory, the purpose of the research is to reveal a change and difference depending on understanding a given event or phenomenon, as well as including in-depth examination, questioning, description and understanding. The researcher allows the society to develop, renew and change itself with the hidden truth that he wants to disclose. In this respect, Critical Theory and Critical theorists aim to reveal the mechanisms of oppression and domination that surround the individual and to liberate the individual and perform conscious actions. In this study, Critical Theory outlined by Frankfurt School, will be examined; criticism of Critical Theory on the matter of enlightenment and positivist paradigms, instrumental mind, ideology, Ortodox Marxism and culture industry, its approachments and spesifically,recognition and development stage of the theory in Turkey will be analyzed. In this context, as the works of Critical Theorists are the primary sources, domestic and foreign literature on this subject has been benefited. In the article, it is concluded that Critical Theory is the source of the development, change and transformation of societies by giving individuals the awareness of freedom.

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