Authority Quote by Theodor Adorno
“The error in positivism is that it takes as its standard of truth the contingently given division of labor, that between the science and social praxis as well as that within science itself, and allows no theory that could reveal the division of labor to be itself derivative and mediated and thus strip it of its false authority.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Negative Dialectics, Theodor Adorno, 1961
Positivism ignores how labor divisions shape truth, preventing critical insight.
In simple terms: Positivism hides labor‑based truth.
Key Takeaway
Question underlying power structures.
Themes
philosophy
critical theory
labor
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- academic critique
- policy analysis
- social activism
Key Concepts
social construction
truth
authority
Questions to Reflect On
- How do labor divisions affect knowledge?
- Can positivism be reformed?
A Different Perspective
Positivism can still yield useful data if combined with critique.
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