Who became the leading exponent of the ‘Second Generation’ of the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory ?

Correct option is D

Jurgen Habermas became the leading exponent of the 'Second Generation' of the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory. He is known for his work on communication theory, the concept of the public sphere, and his development of a theory of communicative action.

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Jurgen Habermas: As a key figure in the second generation of the Frankfurt School, Habermas focused on the intersection of philosophy, sociology, and political theory. His works, such as The Theory of Communicative Action and The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere, contributed significantly to the study of democracy, communication, and social theory.

Frankfurt School: This intellectual movement, also known as the Institute for Social Research, aimed to understand and critique the capitalist society and its effects on culture and social structures. It was founded in the early 20th century, with figures such as Max Horkheimer, Theodor Adorno, and Herbert Marcuse as leading scholars.

Fredrick Hegel: Hegel was an influential German philosopher who is often associated with the development of dialectical reasoning, which influenced Marx and critical theory. However, he was not part of the Frankfurt School's second generation.

Karl Marx: Marx's ideas were fundamental to the early development of the Frankfurt School’s critical theory, but he did not belong to the second generation, as the movement grew significantly after his time.

Vladimir Lenin: Lenin was a revolutionary leader and theorist, influencing Marxism, but he was not connected to the Frankfurt School.

Additional information :

Jurgen Habermas: Habermas's major contributions to critical theory included his advocacy for deliberative democracy and his analysis of how rational discourse could serve as a basis for social integration.

The Frankfurt School: After World War II, the School's focus shifted from Marxist analysis to more complex theories involving communication, culture, and societal structures.

Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer: These scholars were part of the first generation of the Frankfurt School, influencing critical theory with their works on culture, society, and enlightenment, particularly their influential book Dialectic of Enlightenment.