Theodor Adorno is a prominent German composer, music theorist, sociologist and philosopher. After Hitler came to power, Adorno moved overseas, but with the end of the war he returned to his homeland. He was a representative of the so-called Frankfurt School of Sociology and made a significant contribution to the study of the psychology of Nazism.
From the biography of Theodor Adorno
The future philosopher and music theorist was born in Frankfurt (Germany) on September 11, 1903. Theodore was the son of the wealthy wine merchant Oscar Alexander Wiesengrund and the talented singer Maria-Barbara Calvelli-Adorno. Theodore took part of his mother's surname as his surname already in adulthood.
Aunt Agatha, who lived in his parents' house, helped shape the boy's personality. Already at a young age, Theodore learned to play the piano well. Until the age of 17, he studied at the gymnasium and was considered the best student in the class.
In his free time, Theodore studied the works of Kant and took lessons in composing. Later, Adorno admitted that studying classical German philosophy had given him more than all the years of formal training.
After completing his basic education, Theodore entered the University of Frankfurt, where he studied sociology, psychology, philosophy and musicology. He graduated from the university in 1924.
Carier start
As a student, Theodore began writing critical articles on the art of music. But he was much more attracted by the profession of a composer. In 1925, Theodore began studying music in Vienna. Most of all he was interested in experiments with atonal constructions. However, the listeners did not like such experiments.
Disappointed with music, Theodore turned to sociology. For some time he gave lectures. In 1933, the Nazis came to power in Germany. All professors who were not of the Aryan race were deprived of their teaching license.
In 1937, Adorno visited the United States for the first time. He liked New York. He decided to move here to live. The philosopher signed a contract with the Institute for Social Research, and then began to collaborate with Columbia University. Subsequently, Adorno moved to Los Angeles.
Theodor Adorno after the war
After the end of World War II, Theodore stopped writing music. At first he became involved in the development of the philosophy of musical art, but soon his ardor died out. He switched to creating a series of works on the psychology of fascism.
Adorno's works had a significant impact on the development of the social sciences. The contribution of the German scientist to the development of sociology is recognized even by critics of his work. The works of the German scientist and now cause fierce controversy among philosophers and sociologists.
Longing for his homeland, Adorno eventually returned to Germany. He received the post of professor at Frankfurt. He was in charge of not only scientific work, but also economic activities.
In the 60s, German students took an active part in the opposition movement and often clashed with the authorities. Adorno was at the center of one of these conflicts. He decides to leave the country for a while and go on vacation to Switzerland. On the trip, Adorno was accompanied by his wife. In Switzerland on August 6, 1969, the philosopher died. The cause of death was a heart attack: Adorno tried to climb a mountain peak and did not calculate the load.
