Concept of mimesis in Theodor W. Adorno's and Max Horkheimer aesthetic theory

Abstract

Mimesis, in Theodor W. Adorno’s and respectively, Max Horkheimer’s philosophy emerges as a certain phenomenon that is presupposed by the rapid industrialization of culture. What Adorno provides is an analysis of mimesis in a way that it discloses itself in different manner rather than being a theory or a concept. The lack of such an aspect enables to critically question Adorno’s theory as being simply negative dialectics. By comparing his theory to Walter Benjamin, Jurgen Habermas, Martin Heidegger, Christopher Prendergast and many others that provide a respectable accounts with Adorno’s theory, the goal is to define what mimesis is for Adorno and provide an essential positive upcoming with relation to modernity. Critically questioning and disclosing the shortcomings of Adorno’s theory is an effort to disperse certain peculiarities between myth and enlightenment seeking to achieve their mutual reconciliation towards positive mimetic modernity. The question of aesthetics can be seen held through the socio-political concept of „mass culture“, which from the beginning is directed towards subject/object distinction which resurfaces in order to establish the individual in the face of culture industry.