Herbert Marcuse discusses Critical Theory and its' attempt to connect that with the ideas of philosophy. Marcuse first states that reason is an authentic state of being and it is the fundamental category of philosophical thought. He argues that what exists in reality is not rational until it is brought in by reason. He realized that by accepting reason as freedom inevitably limits philosophy. Critical theory attempts to solve this by factoring in phantasy. Phantasy leads us to think about our future state instead of our past and current states of being in philosophy. Marcuse states that if phantasy were answered through existing technical materials it would have a utopian effect on our statements. He makes his conclusion of critical theory by agreeing that the balance between reason and phantasy creates our known reality. “Critical theory is, last but not least, critical of itself and of the social forces that make up its own basis.”
An example of critical theory is the movie Enchanted. The movie relates to the concepts discussed in the previous paragraph, reason, phantasy, and reality. The movie begins by introducing the fairytale world, Andalasia, in which “reality” (as we know it) does not exist. Giselle, a princess, who was just saved by a prince and was to be married the next day, was cast into “reality” (Times Square, New York) by the prince's evil stepmother. Giselle, who represents phantasy, is placed into a city where reason is the basis on how people think. She is out of place and is looked upon by others as bizarre and “too cheerful.” While becoming lost Giselle meets Robert, a businessman who always uses reason to make all his decisions. As the movie progresses Giselle continues to behave in a naive fashion and Robert feels obligated to help her. While spending so much time together both Giselle and Robert begin to see that they both need a little bit of each others philosophy. Robert begins to believe in Giselle's mystical world and Giselle realizes that reason can help her in New York City. When the plot thickens and the prince comes to New York to save her, Giselle realizes that she does not want to go back to her world full of phantasy. Giselle seals true loves first kiss with Robert. Robert and Giselle symbolizes critical theory by recognizes that a balance between phantasy and reason makes our known reality.
An example of critical theory is the movie Enchanted. The movie relates to the concepts discussed in the previous paragraph, reason, phantasy, and reality. The movie begins by introducing the fairytale world, Andalasia, in which “reality” (as we know it) does not exist. Giselle, a princess, who was just saved by a prince and was to be married the next day, was cast into “reality” (Times Square, New York) by the prince's evil stepmother. Giselle, who represents phantasy, is placed into a city where reason is the basis on how people think. She is out of place and is looked upon by others as bizarre and “too cheerful.” While becoming lost Giselle meets Robert, a businessman who always uses reason to make all his decisions. As the movie progresses Giselle continues to behave in a naive fashion and Robert feels obligated to help her. While spending so much time together both Giselle and Robert begin to see that they both need a little bit of each others philosophy. Robert begins to believe in Giselle's mystical world and Giselle realizes that reason can help her in New York City. When the plot thickens and the prince comes to New York to save her, Giselle realizes that she does not want to go back to her world full of phantasy. Giselle seals true loves first kiss with Robert. Robert and Giselle symbolizes critical theory by recognizes that a balance between phantasy and reason makes our known reality.