Date: 	Wed, 22 Jan 1997 23:35:54 -0500
From: Kenneth MacKendrick <kenneth.mackendrick-AT-utoronto.ca>
Subject: Re: General Question



> Would any of you consider, or not, Marcuse's _One Dimensional Man_ a 
> prophetic discourse?  
> 
> This question contains two deliberately ambiguous terms : prophetic and 
> discourse.  GO!

	yes and no.  Prophetic, as in revelation from a divine source, is 
definitely out.  But if one understands prophetic to include revelation from 
non-divine sources then maybe.  Maybe only in the sense than any critique of 
society serves a "prophetic role."  Another question that could be asked about this: 
 Is Marcuse a theologian?  Personally I don't think so.
	Habermas, in knowledge and human interests, outlined the unique role of 
emancipatory knowledge.  I think the critics of Habermas are correct though - that 
reflection cannot be singled out as a special domain of knowledge, as Habermas 
has since concluded as well.  Your right about the ambiguity of the term prophet 
though.  It tends to be problematic precisely because of the implication that a 
prohet has special insight - insight which marcuse, horkheimer, and adorno all 
rejected.  it is a discourse though - and a discourse oriented toward the critique of 
society with a strong element of utopian gesturing.  
	just a guess though.

ken mackendrick