Morality, culture, and the educational stigmata of capitalism

Abstract

Abstract Theodor Adorno’s moral philosophical thinking has relevance to the philosophy of education in today’s neoliberal context. Traditionally, the rational idea of morality has been essential in the philosophy of education. However, the Adornian idea of the insufficiency of reason as the foundation of morality is something that has not been thoroughly explored. By examining the characteristics of neoliberal education through the lenses of Adorno’s critique of the culture industry, it becomes clear that education must be approached not as a commodity or driver of the economy but as a means to enrich the individual. This enrichment, which begins with facilitating prerequisites for the foundation of autonomy in early childhood, rejects the homogenization of neoliberal education and instead promotes the ideals of ongoing critical self-reflection and the resistance of norms.