Empirical research is an independent mainstream research paradigm that adapts to natural science, but the "scientific method" of empirical research breaks through the category of natural science research and is introduced into social research. Critical theory aims at objectification, neutrality, positivism, quantification and operability of positivism and its scientific method, denying that this scientific method has destroyed the integrity and significance of the human world, denying people's construction of the world and their value participation in this process. Critical theory holds that any "fact" is constructed by human beings and inevitably contains subjectivity, relativity and value judgment.
2. Critical theory pays attention to "interests" and seeks "enlightenment" society.
Critical theory advocates enlightening the actual situation of social life, that is, revealing the true interests of individuals and groups, and interests refer to the needs and concerns of special groups (superiors and subordinates), especially the concern for vested interests or disadvantages under the self-interest consciousness and principle. For the leading group, they always safeguard vested interests, while the subordinate and vulnerable groups tend to change their predicament and strive for power and interests. Critical theory is to expose this inequality and inspire people to strive for equality. Therefore, in the eyes of critical theorists, the core of social life is conflict and tension.
3. The goal of critical theory is to promote "liberation"
Critical theory holds that subordinate (essentially ruled) groups cannot control their own destiny because of some factors, so it is difficult to control their own lives and get happiness. Critical theory tries to expose the factors that restrict personal freedom, such as the manipulation of privilege and the restriction of authority, and guide people to get rid of the bondage and realize freedom, that is, liberation on the basis of an enlightened society. Liberation is the main appeal of this theory, and it is also the value of providing guidance for what to do as a theory.
4. Critical theory criticizes instrumental rationality.
The overuse of modern science and technology by human beings has plunged it into the quagmire of technological rule. Instrumental rationality is synonymous with scientism. It cares about methods and efficiency rather than purpose, and values wisdom over emotion, which makes facts and values be stripped off stiffly. The destruction of nature by human beings and the threat of nuclear weapons are all the consequences of the proliferation of instrumental rationality. Critical theory criticizes instrumental rationality as a desire dominated by control desire, which causes distortion and deformation of individuals and society. The threat of nuclear weapons, the partial belief in the principle of efficiency in the field of education, the intervention of economic judgment standards and market orientation are all manifestations of instrumental rationality.
5. Culture is the focus of critical theory research.
In cultural studies, critical theory focuses on the relationship between advanced culture, popular culture, youth culture, culture and nature, especially popular culture. The theory points out that high-level culture is the elite culture of rulers or ruling groups, and it is a tool to safeguard privileges and exclude vulnerable groups. It makes the weak fall into the silence of longing for advanced culture and giving up their pursuit. For the study of popular culture, critical theory focuses on the criticism of cultural industry. Cultural industry is the commercialization of culture, which is regarded by critical theorists as a more hidden and effective way to rule the monopoly bourgeoisie. It is a kind of "enlightenment spirit of deceiving the public", which makes the audience feel passive, obedient and false, believe that the society is just, and forget their own unfavorable situation and pursuit of freedom, thus contributing to the control of monopoly capitalism. Youth culture is a subculture with high hopes from critical theorists, because it has the resistance enthusiasm that adult mass culture does not have, and Marcuse even pinned the hope of liberation on young students. In the relationship between culture and nature, critical theory condemns instrumental rationality and anthropocentrism, and emphasizes the equal rights of animals and people.
6. Ideological "common sense"
Ideology permeates human daily life, such as family, school and friendship. It is a kind of consciousness full of common sense assumptions and daily experience. It obscures people's real interests in the form of common sense, suppresses and dispels people's awakening consciousness and ability to shape society, thus serving the interests of specific groups and contributing to social injustice. Critical theory is devoted to explaining and exposing the ideology under the cover of common sense, making people realize the essence of common sense and get enlightenment and liberation.
7. Caring aesthetics, that is, elite knowledge.
All aesthetic forms are produced, distributed and evaluated through special social processes in a special social environment. Critical theory tries to seek the social standard of aesthetic evaluation and confirm the interests served by aesthetics. The original critical theorists believed that elegant art had the intention of freedom and liberation, and that art questioned unfairness and mocked privilege, so they praised "poets as unrecognized legislators in the world". But later, critical theory changed the aesthetic point of view. Critical aesthetic art is only a tool to safeguard privileged interests. "Shakespeare is one of the places where ideology was formed."
8. Psychoanalysis theory is an important theoretical basis of critical theory.
The formation of critical theory is deeply influenced by Freud's psychoanalysis theory. For example, critical theory is influenced by the concept of subconscious in psychoanalytic theory, pointing out that there are strong ideological tendencies and structures hidden under the surface of society; Psychoanalysis attaches importance to the analysis of human mental deformity, and critical theory pays attention to the distortion of social facts; The former hopes to cure patients through psychological analysis, while the latter thinks that critical theory itself can promote liberation. In addition, the critical theory cites the concept of personality split in psychoanalysis, pointing out that the conflict of interests brought about by class, gender and cultural competition divides the society, so the society is in conflict, not harmonious. Critical theory tries to expose this kind of division and conflict, so that the disadvantaged groups can discover the causes of social distortion and then realize self-healing, that is, liberation.
9. Interpretation level of critical theory
When explaining an event, we should combine three levels: level one, that is, personal perspective; The second level, that is, institutional perspective; The third level is the structural angle. For example, the question mentioned in the introduction, why are the academic achievements of different students so different? According to the viewpoint of combining three levels, we should first consider personal factors, such as effort and IQ. Secondly, we should consider the factors of poor class and good class, or the number of seats in the same class; Finally, we need to consider whether there are racial discrimination and other factors. Although critical theory advocates the combination of three levels, it actually analyzes the problem from three levels.