What’s ‘critical’ about critical physiotherapy? Max Horkheimer and the idea of critical theory Anna I. Rajala PhD candidate in Humanities Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics School of Humanities, University of Brighton

Structure Who was Max Horkheimer? What is “critical” philosophy? Reading of the essay ‘Traditional and critical theory’ – what is “critical theory” for Horkheimer? What might this have to do with physiotherapy?

The argument Thinking Horkheimer in critical physiotherapy today raises questions about theory and practice Moving beyond the disciplinary boundary between traditional “traditional” physiotherapy science and critical physiotherapy is one of the most difficult tasks for the future, but all the more necessary

I. A brief biography

Max Horkheimer (b. 1895 – d. 1973) – A very brief background The early career was marked by the rise of Hitler The later career reflected the atrocities of both right and left fascism

II. What is critical philosophy?

Critique – Etymology From Ancient Greek, via Latin borrowed from French into English kritikós, “capable of judging, discerning”, from kritós, “separated, picked out” critica, “evaluation of literary works” The act of criticising, activity of making careful judgements about something, making critical assessment To discern, to see, to find out, to recognise, to distinguish, to recognise a difference, to understand something that is not clear (Merriam-Webster / OED)

Critical philosophy The task for philosophy is not the justification of knowledge or establishment of theories about the reality – it is not about knowing what is out there It is about critique, the analysis of experience itself – how knowledge is possible in the first place and how it constitutes the objects in the world, not the other way around

Negative and pessimistic? Critique can be pessimistic if it can’t see alternatives – But should it stay silent? Criticism is negative when pointing out wrong but not offering an alternative – Does it have to? Critique is the first step towards “better”

The task of social philosophy: materialism “[Social philosophy’s] ultimate aim is the philosophical interpretation of the vicissitudes of human fate – the fate of humans not as mere individuals, however, but as members of a community. It is thus above all concerned with phenomena that can only be understood in the context of human social life: with the state, law, economy, religion – in short, with the entire material and intellectual culture of humanity.” - Max Horkheimer, “The Present Situation of Social Philosophy and the Tasks of an Institute for Social Research”

III. Horkheimer’s “critical theory”

Traditional and Critical Theory (1937) “Traditional theory” seeks to explain, describe and understand Uses natural scientific methods Mechanistic worldview Theory is a set of propositions that are verifiable with empirical means Seeks to classify, systematize, and conceptualize Numbers are its language Doesn’t acknowledge the social and historical embeddedness of science

Traditional and Critical Theory (1937) “Critical theory” seeks to change and liberate Looks at real material, ideological, economic, historical, cultural … circumstances and relationships to understand society Tied to the suffering of the oppressed in society Interdisciplinary Purposefully acknowledges its own embeddedness in the social and historical moment to overcome the blind spots of traditional theory

IV. Horkheimer in critical physiotherapy

What would it look like? Interdisciplinary Integrating theory and practice Acknowledging embeddedness of research Addressing oppression Aiming at liberation Inspiration from: https://criticalphysio.net/2017/07/20/reflections-of-a- quantitative-researcher-on-the-cpn-salon/

Barriers for collaboration Mutual recognition Criticism is not a unified approach nor should it be The division between theory and practice is a wider phenomenon extending beyond physiotherapy Institutional division of labour - do we really communicate? Hierarchical and dichotomous thinking Valuing quantitative science above all else Valuing practical above all else Not finding space to voice criticism Not finding representation in mainstream Funding issues to do critical work Lack of time to think Structural barriers Political and economic climate Etc.