A experiência em Theodor W. Adorno: entre o condicionamento e a autenticidade

Abstract

Experience is a key concept in Theodor W. Adorno's theory. Understood as a process of interaction between subject and object, it permeates the author's entire work as a crucial element for understanding the various fields he addresses, whether political, social, economic, or cultural. Thus, in the following work, we aim to present the multifaceted ways in which this concept appears in Adorno's writings. Given that the author's work is sometimes perceived as fatalistic and pessimistic, we will seek to demonstrate, based on his critique of how real-world structures interfere on individual experiences, that is, conditioned, that alternative possibilities exist. In other words, we will explore the notion of authentic experiences as developed in his critical model. The main objective of the following paper is therefore to present adornian's work from the perspective of experience in a descriptive way, setting up a hermeneutic framework for analyzing the author's work. To this end, we will first examine how experience is understood in Adorno’s theory, its origins in philosophical debates, and what he means when referring to experience. Subsequently, we will address the foundations, consolidations, and perpetuations of both conditioned and authentic experiences as postulated by Adorno. Finally, we will argue that, despite the seemingly tragic tone of his work at times, his perspective allows for opposing possibilities, given the method of non-identity that he adopts. In this sense, it is precisely through the way he frames his critique that openings emerge for a diverse understanding.