When sociology must comprehend the incomprehensible: interpretation of Weber and Durkheim in the sociology of Theodor W. Adorno

The central research question is how Theodor W. Adorno's sociological theory relates to sociological interpretation, particularly within the context of post-liberal capitalism. The article's purpose is to analyze Adorno's concept of 'society' as the primary object of sociological inquiry and to explore his unique approach to understanding this complex entity. The importance of this study lies in illuminating Adorno's contribution to sociology as not merely philosophical but as an immanent critique of established sociological traditions. The context is Adorno's intellectual engagement with the classical sociological perspectives of Max Weber and Emile Durkheim, particularly their contrasting views on the comprehensibility of social phenomena. This exploration is primarily based on Adorno's text 'Society', supplemented by his other writings on social theory and sociological interpretation. The study aims to clarify how Adorno uses these classic sociological perspectives to construct his own theoretical framework for understanding and critically interpreting capitalist society.

The article draws upon extensive literature on Adorno's social theory, noting the emphasis on his critique of capitalism and the concept of exchange society as an antagonistic totality (Bonefeld, 2016; Heitmann 2018; Maiso 2022; Reichelt 2011). It also engages with studies highlighting the significance of interpretation in Adorno's thought and his approach to theoretical construction through the composition of models and figures (Buck-Morss 1977; Romero 2010; Sevilla 2005; Vidal 2021). The literature review shows that while there are works acknowledging the importance of Adorno's sociology (Benzer 2011; Muller-Doohm 1996), a thorough understanding requires acknowledging the dialectical and model-building aspects of his approach. Existing scholarship often overlooks the interpretative and constructive aspects of his use of fundamental sociological concepts.

The article uses a close reading and interpretive approach, primarily focused on Adorno's text 'Society' and supplemented with relevant passages from his broader oeuvre. The author employs a critical interpretive methodology to analyze Adorno's engagement with the works of Weber and Durkheim. This involves carefully examining the textual evidence to understand Adorno's arguments and the logical connections between them. The author further situates Adorno's work within the broader context of critical theory and its engagement with classical sociological thought. The analysis is structured around three main theses: 1) Adorno's conception of capitalist society as a fractured totality, encompassing rationality and irrationality, comprehensibility and incomprehensibility; 2) Adorno's approach to sociological interpretation, emphasizing the social determinants of phenomena while recognizing the reified nature of social praxis; 3) Adorno's unique way of engaging with classical sociological concepts, incorporating them into constellations that reveal their underlying objective moments. The analysis integrates relevant secondary literature to illuminate and contextualize Adorno's arguments and methodology. The author aims to demonstrate how Adorno immanently critiques sociological traditions, building upon rather than simply rejecting established concepts.

The analysis reveals that Adorno's concept of society is not simply a collection of individuals but a complex network of relationships that exert control over them. He characterizes society as a functional totality, a system where each individual fulfills a function within the exchange relationship, driven by profit. Adorno leverages Marx's concept of value to explain this dynamic, highlighting the abstract nature of exchange-value dominating human need. He criticizes approaches that attempt to generalize from the specific to the general, arguing that the social totality fundamentally shapes individual actions. Adorno sees socialisation as a process of internalising social coercion, resulting in a 'damaged life' characterized by the splitting of the subject as individuals adapt to the demands of the exchange society. He integrates psychoanalysis to understand this internal conflict and the perpetuation of an irrational system through the actions of individuals. The article further explores Adorno's critique of both Weber's comprehensive sociology and Durkheim's sociology of social facts. While he acknowledges the partial truth in both perspectives—Weber's emphasis on understanding subjective meanings and Durkheim's focus on the external and coercive nature of social facts—he criticizes their limitations. Adorno argues that neither fully grasps the reified nature of social relations and the inherent incomprehensibility of the exchange society. He proposes 'comprehending the incomprehensible,' a dialectical approach that acknowledges both the comprehensible aspects of social action and the opaque, reified structures that shape them. This necessitates a historical perspective that reveals the genesis of social objectivity and its capacity to be transformed. Adorno advocates for a dialectical reading of classical sociological concepts, incorporating them into constellations that reveal their inherent contradictions and critical potential, showing how even non-dialectical thinkers inadvertently reveal the fractured nature of capitalist society.

The findings address the research question by demonstrating Adorno's unique contribution to sociological interpretation. He develops a critical theory of society that transcends the limitations of both Weberian subjectivism and Durkheimian objectivism. Adorno's framework enables a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between individual agency and social structure, recognizing the simultaneous comprehensibility and incomprehensibility of social phenomena. The significance of these results lies in their contribution to critical sociology, offering a framework for analyzing the contradictory nature of late capitalist society and its effects on individuals. The results' relevance to the field is in their challenge to traditional sociological paradigms, prompting a reconsideration of the methods and concepts used to understand society. The concept of ‘comprehending incomprehensibility’ offers a methodological approach for critical engagement with social phenomena, acknowledging the tension between subjective experience and objective social structures. This is particularly relevant in contemporary discussions regarding the relationship between individual agency and systemic constraints.

This article highlights Adorno's significant contributions to sociology, demonstrating that his insights are not merely philosophical but stem from a deep engagement with and critical reworking of the sociological tradition. His method of ‘constellation’ enables a dialectical reading of classical sociology, uncovering the inherent contradictions within Weber and Durkheim's perspectives and revealing the fractured nature of capitalist society. Adorno's concept of 'comprehending the incomprehensible' offers a new approach to sociological interpretation, acknowledging both the rational and irrational, comprehensible and incomprehensible aspects of social life. Future research could explore the implications of Adorno's work for contemporary sociological debates, such as those surrounding the concept of 'society' itself, the rise of individualistic approaches, and the ongoing challenges of critical social theory.

The article's primary limitation is its focus on a specific set of Adorno's works, potentially overlooking nuances present in his broader oeuvre. Further, the interpretation is inherently subjective, and alternative readings of Adorno's work are possible. While the article engages with secondary literature, a more exhaustive review might provide further contextualization. Finally, the article's focus on the works of Weber and Durkheim might neglect other influential sociological thinkers and their contributions to the ongoing discussion.