In this episode of Liberty Curious, Kate Wand invited Phil Magness to discuss the origins of critical theory, which is a neo-Marxist school of thought born in the Frankfurt School in 1923.

Phil is the director of research and education at AIER, and a prolific researcher on these kinds of ideas. They discuss the history of critical theory, and how it has proliferated through academia and into our culture, manifesting itself as what we commonly refer to as Woke ideology.

*** Please note that the opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and her guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Institute for Economic Research. The content presented in this show is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be considered as financial advice. ***

aier.org/podcasts

0:00 - intro

1:50 - what is Critical Theory?

5:04 - Offshoot of Marxism

11:07 - Frankfurt School

19:20 - Marxism Splits

23:30 - from Economics to Sociology

27:45 - Incoherence

29:28 - Coming to America

35:26 - Critical Theory vs. Traditional Theory

38:09 - The Ambitions of Critical Theorists

45:30 - Last thoughts

50:30 - Bonus question: Utopia