15 Oct 2013: Sociology Seminar

Issued: Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:42:00 BST

The Frankfurt School on Israel

Professor Jack Jacobs (City University of New York)

5.15-7pm, Room 916 Building, Adam Smith Building
Jointly hosted with CSSTM

Abstract
I will explore the range of views which existed within the founding generation of the Frankfurt School on matters pertaining to Israel and Zionism, with particular attention to the ideas of Marcuse, Fromm, Horkheimer, and Lowenthal, and will attempt to explain the subtle differences which existed among these thinkers on this issue by examining the differences in their family backgrounds and their knowledge of Judaism.  I argue that there is an inverse relation among members of the School between knowledge of Jewish religious ideas and criticism of the State of Israel.  The deeper the thinker’s familiarity with Judaism, the stronger the thinker’s critique of Israel.

All welcome

The Sociology Seminar Series is supported by the MacFie Bequest, named after Professor Alec MacFie, Adam Smith Professor of Political Economy at the University from 1945 to 1958. 

Any enquiries about the seminar series can be addressed to: Andrew.Smith.2@glasgow.ac.uk