Theme 2: Critical media studies - Pre-reflections

Dialectic of Enlightenment

1. What is "Enlightenment"?

Enlightenment refers to deeper knowledge. Being enlightened means that the exposed gains understanding and sees the topic clearly without any confusions or misunderstandings.

2. What is "Dialectic"?

Dialectic is the argumentation striving toward a conclusion of absolute truth. To accomplish this truth, the topic of discussion is viewed from different perspectives and through the opposites reaches common ground. Dialectic is also referred to as the main logic of enlightenment used to ensure truth before decision.

3. What is "Nominalism" and why is it an important concept in the text?

The area of nominalism regards the questions whether objects hold truth. And the only objects that hold truth are those that are observable by humans. This means that abstract objects do not actually exist since they are not possible to observe.

Its importance lies in the connection to enlightenment which circles whether object exist or not. Religion, or rather God, is one example that is questioned whether or not it exist since it is not actually possible to observe (disregarding those who claim to have experience an epiphany).

4. What is the meaning and function of "myth" in Adorno and Horkheimer's argument?

A Myth is a story constructed by abstractions. Events and characters, often supernatural, that are unable to be proven to exist. Which then obviously questions its existence.

"The Work of Art in the Age of Technical Reproductivity"

1. In the beginning of the essay, Benjamin talks about the relation between "superstructure" and "substructure" in the capitalist order of production. What do the concepts "superstructure" and "substructure" mean in this context and what is the point of analyzing cultural production from a Marxist perspective?

Benjamin describes substructure as a basis superstructure in every society. The substructure is defined by economic activity, which is either a promotion of capitalism or socialism. The Marxist perspective indicates that is the ordinary citizens of the society, the substructures, whom define culture and politics, superstructures. Consequently, substructure determines superstructure.

2. Does culture have revolutionary potentials (according to Benjamin)? If so, describe these potentials. Does Benjamin's perspective differ from the perspective of Adorno & Horkheimer in this regard?

Benjamin believes that culture has revolutionary potential. The main example he supports this with is the evolution of photography. From sketches and lithography to motion picture and now even instant image sharing highly integrated in our daily lives. It is clear that this evolution has had a revolution and is now a central part of our existence. Adorno and Horkheimer however, view this evolution as nothing but a tool for entertainment and therefore means no actual intellectual substance. Rather the opposite, it keeps us from intellectual evolution and thereby from knowledge.

3. Benjamin discusses how people perceive the world through the senses and argues that this perception can be both naturally and historically determined. What does this mean? Give some examples of historically determined perception (from Benjamin's essay and/or other contexts).

Naturally determined is described by Benjamin as objects that are of permanent nature, for example how every human perceives the world through our senses. Historically determined is rather things that are available for perception. Objects that can change as time passes and as observers too evolve into more new kinds of thinkers. History will affect how objects of all kind will vary in meaning and therefore they can be seen as historically determined.

4. What does Benjamin mean by the term "aura"? Are there different kinds of aura in natural objects compared to art objects?

Generally, aura means unique. The characteristics that any objects has that makes it unique. An object's aura is different depending on observer but at the same time, each object has a unique aura meaning that reproductions and replicas will not inherit the originals aura. Benjamin furthermore claims there to be a difference between natural objects and art as an example. Natural objects are of permanence and uniqueness and can thereby in a sense be “seen by the unarmed eye” as Benjamin describes it.