Introduction to Sociology

“North American sociologists, social theorists, and social scientists will welcome the accessibility of this text. It is well translated, easily read, and informative on Adorno’s critique of empiricist and positivist sociology. . . . One will rarely encounter another text like this one, which can make an argument for a dialectical theory of society while also showing great sophistication in the treatment of historical materials as well as in the critical appraisal of research methods. All in all, Adorno’s great intellectual passion is noticeable throughout these lectures. They clearly build on the series of splendid books produced by the author in Germany during the 1950s and 1960s.”—Critical Sociology “Adorno an author of an ‘intro’ book? This surprising volume is a wonderful antidote to the impression that the Frankfurt School opposed empirical research. . . . This brief work is thick with implications for the discipline of sociology, which Adorno fundamentally rethinks.”—Contemporary Sociology